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Fort Pierce redevelopment board authorizes pursuit of fifth Freebee vehicle to reduce wait times
Summary
The Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency authorized staff to pursue adding a fifth Freebee vehicle, with staff to return a contract amendment offering five-month and annual options; the board cited reduced wait times and DOT grant funding covering much of the cost.
The Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency on Nov. 12 authorized staff to tell Freebee to prepare a fifth vehicle for the city’s shared mobility service and to return an amended contract for final approval.
At a presentation to the FPRA, Freebee representative Sarah Delgado said longer wait incidents for the service declined about 41 percent in recent months. “September went from 1,000 to 697, and October dropped to 635,” Delgado said, summarizing ride data and identifying Publix, Taylor Creek Commons and downtown/Jetty Park among the most popular destinations.
Delgado told the board adding a fifth vehicle would take roughly 30–45 days, require a parking space and charger, and would carry upfront costs she listed as a $1,500 vehicle wrap and a $1,250 one-time charger-installation fee. “To add the fifth vehicle would be $10,833,” she said as the operating figure presented to the board.
Commissioners asked whether the vehicle would be a temporary, five-month addition or permanent. Commissioner C. Johnson urged staff to analyze a year-long option for possible cost savings; Delgado and staff said the forthcoming contract amendment will include both five-month and annual options. Miss Cox told the board the DOT grant covers the majority of the service cost for a three-year term and FPRA currently pays $218,907 annually toward the program of a roughly $480,000 annual total.
Commissioner Gaines moved that staff notify Freebee the board wants a fifth vehicle deployed as soon as possible and return contract options for either a five-month pilot or an annual arrangement. The motion was seconded and approved by unanimous roll call.
Miss Cox said the amended contract will come back to FPRA for formal approval after Freebee proceeds with procurement and logistical setup. The board did not set a specific start date; staff said earlier implementation would mean a vehicle could be on the street in about 30–45 days, depending on charger installation and hiring of a driver.
The FPRA’s action authorizes staff to move forward with procurement and contract amendment work but does not itself amend the contract or obligate additional FPRA funds until the amended agreement returns for approval.
