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South Miami authorizes negotiations with Via for on‑demand transit service
Summary
After a competitive process, the commission authorized staff to negotiate a multi‑year contract with Via (not to exceed $354,000 annually) to replace the incumbent microtransit provider and expand on‑demand service, focusing on faster response times and multimodal integration.
The City Commission on Aug. 20 authorized staff to negotiate a multi‑year contract with Via for on‑demand transit services, aiming to improve service scalability and integration with regional transit options.
City staff said three firms responded to the city’s solicitation — the incumbent Freebee, Circuit and Via — and the evaluation committee unanimously recommended Via for its platform, service metrics and ability to integrate with Metro Connect and other transportation network companies as overflow. Staff emphasized that the master step before contracting is negotiation and that a service addendum would define any item‑specific obligations.
Commissioners asked about cost comparisons to the incumbent provider, grant funding availability and the practical challenges of committing to a 15‑minute response standard. Via representative Sebastian Loria described a community outreach and rider marketing plan to encourage adoption, including in‑person outreach, digital campaigns and collaboration with city assets and social channels.
The commission authorized negotiations with Via and directed staff to pursue contract terms that balance service standards, hours of operation and budget constraints. The requested not‑to‑exceed annual amount cited in the staff memo was $354,000; staff said final pricing and service hours would be set during negotiation.
The vote was unanimous (4‑0). Staff said they will return with a negotiated contract for final approval.
