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Board directs staff to advertise new on‑demand transit fare concept with $3 base and distance pricing
Summary
After a staff presentation showing rapid growth and rider demographics, the Sarasota County Commission directed staff to advertise Concept 4 for on‑demand transit fares — a $3 base fare, distance‑based add‑ons with a cap, and no change to the Transportation Disadvantaged flat rate — and voted unanimously to authorize the ad process.
The Sarasota County Commission on March 27 gave staff direction to proceed with a proposed on‑demand transit fare structure combining a $3 base fare with distance‑based pricing and a capped maximum.
Jane Grogg, the transit lead, told commissioners the on‑demand pilot has served more than 1,000,000 rides since 2021 and that roughly three‑quarters of riders earn at or below area median income. Grogg said staff and contractors analyzed multiple fare concepts and modeled outcomes using 2024 trip data to estimate revenues and potential rider elasticity.
Grogg summarized four concepts, including a distance‑based approach that charged $2 for the first mile and $1 per additional mile with a cap (staff rounded the cap to six miles in projections). She also described options to discount an accompanying rider and to preserve a separate Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) flat rate tied to the state TD identification process.
Commissioner Kutsinger and several colleagues argued for a higher base fare to better capture mobilization costs and reduce short trip cross‑subsidies. "It makes a lot of sense to charge the per mile because you've got a lot more time, distance, wear and tear on the vehicle," Kutsinger said; he and others advocated a $3 base. Commissioner Mast also backed a flat base across zones. Commissioner Smith favored retaining a $2 standard fare and keeping TD at $1.50.
After discussion, the board asked staff to prepare a resolution reflecting Concept 4 but with the base fare set at $3, to authorize advertisement of the proposed rates and to return for public hearing. Commissioner Kutsinger moved the motion; Commissioner Mast seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
What the board approved to advertise: staff will draft a formal resolution to advertise the proposed fares (Concept 4 with a $3 base, distance‑based add‑ons with a cap, and no change to the TD flat rate at $1.50), then bring the advertised resolution to a public hearing required for adoption.
Operational notes from staff: staff said the COVID grant that helped launch service has nearly been exhausted (about $1M remaining across urbanized and small areas) and that ongoing federal grant matches (Section 5307/5311) carry 50/50 local match requirements. Staff also noted features to preserve customer clarity: the booking app and call center will show the exact fare before booking to avoid surprises.
Next steps: staff will draft an advertisement resolution for formal authorization and schedule the public hearing where the board may adopt final fares.
