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SCOUT microtransit ridership doubles, fare changes approved to encourage SunRail transfers
Summary
Six months after launch, SCOUT microtransit ridership rose from ~18,000 to nearly 31,000 monthly passengers; staff reported improved farebox recovery and made fare adjustments to incent SunRail transfers. The board approved fare and discount changes, directing staff to continue efficiency work and pursue federal funding.
County staff and the SCOUT operator presented a six-month review of the county's SCOUT microtransit service, showing marked ridership growth, improved farebox recovery and operational tweaks that reduced the per-passenger subsidy.
"We went from 18,000 passengers to now we're pushing almost 31,000 passengers," the assistant county manager said, highlighting growth in SunRail pickups and drops and a decline in net cost per passenger from just under $22 to roughly $16. Staff showed that discounted ridership (low-income, students, seniors, people with disabilities) grew substantially and that farebox recovery for the service is approximately 15.8 percent. Staff proposed modest fare modifications: remove a small SunRail transfer cap and lower the capped transfer fare; increase nondiscounted peak surcharge to shift nonessential trips to off-peak periods. Commissioners amended a staff suggestion to reduce the SunRail transfer capped fare to $1 and approved the final fare and discount changes by unanimous vote.
Staff also described pending FDOT service-development grant-funded vehicle additions and ongoing work to seek direct federal-designated recipient status, which could unlock broader transit funding for the county.
