Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners favor exploring options to expand Freebee service to Tri-Rail; many ask for RFP
Summary
Staff proposed replacing low-speed GEM cars with Volkswagen ID Buzz vehicles to reach Tri-Rail and expand service; commissioners broadly supported expansion but asked staff to issue an RFP to compare operators, fares, and parking-hub options before committing to a contract change.
Delray Beach commissioners on June 2 asked staff to return with competitive options for expanding the city's Freebee free-ride program, including potential vehicle upgrades to allow service to the Tri-Rail station and a wider service area.
Missy Barletta, the staff presenter, outlined the program's history and current limits: the city inherited a point-to-point program that began under the CRA in 2019 and transferred to the city in 2022; the current fleet is five GEM low-speed vehicles that cannot operate on roads with speed limits above 35 mph, which prevents reliable service to Tri-Rail.
Staff presented ridership data for April (reported as 4,056 completed rides and roughly 8,891 passenger boardings) and said the existing contract and app-based operations are well used in the entertainment district and beach blocks. Barletta offered an illustrative option to replace the GEM cars with Volkswagen ID Buzz electric vehicles (greater range, climate control, larger capacity) and expand the service area to Atlantic Avenue to Congress and the Tri-Rail station; staff said that illustrative switch would raise the current $508,000 annual program cost by about $71,000.
"That comes at an increased cost to the city of $71,000," Barletta said.
Why it matters: Commissioners said expansion to Tri-Rail and broader coverage could ease downtown parking pressure and provide first/last-mile connections, but they also wanted to ensure the city gets the best operational model and price.
Commissioners' response and next steps: Multiple commissioners asked staff to pursue an RFP so the city can compare operators, vehicle types (including ID Buzz and others), fare models (the option of a small per-ride fee was discussed), and potential revenue offsets such as vehicle advertising. Commissioners raised equity concerns about taxpayer-funded service that might primarily benefit a subset of residents and suggested evaluating citywide coverage versus a downtown-focused system, and whether limited fares for longer-distance trips would be appropriate. Commissioners also asked staff to investigate potential park-and-ride or parking-hub agreements (including talks with Palm Beach County) as part of the procurement.
No contract change or budget amendment was approved at the June 2 meeting; commissioners directed staff to return with RFP language, cost comparisons and potential service designs for review.
