Charlotte County Transit tells Punta Gorda council about free microtransit, app and disaster support
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Summary
Charlotte County Transit briefed council on curb-to-curb microtransit service overlapping Punta Gorda, the mobile app and free fares, accessibility features, and the agency's role in hurricane evacuations and shelter transport.
PUNTA GORDA — Heidi Maddox, Charlotte County Transit operations manager, told the Punta Gorda City Council Feb. 25 that the county’s curb-to-curb microtransit serves the city on weekdays (with a reduced Saturday area), carries commuters and medical riders, and has a mobile app that allows booking and trip tracking.
Maddox said reservations are currently booked up to two weeks in advance via phone and up to one week via the mobile app; booking hours and the 30-minute pickup window were explained. She emphasized the service’s accessibility for riders using wheelchairs and mobility devices, and noted the system has been fare-free since March 2020 and that the Board of County Commissioners rescinded a fare resolution in December.
Council members asked about a Punta Gorda trolley; Maddox said a trolley would require coordinated planning and partnership with the county. Maddox also described microtransit planning work, a transit development plan focused on microtransit zones and connectors, and recent disaster-response efforts in which county vehicles aided evacuations and shelter transportation during hurricanes.
The council thanked Maddox and asked staff to share transit information on the city’s channels to increase local awareness of free rides and the app.
