Photo courtesy of the City of St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach Commissioners signaled Aug. 25 that they do not want to continue subsidizing the city’s Freebee microtransit program, citing financial pressures and the availability of private ride services.
The discussion arose as City staff sought direction on whether to continue the program. Vice Mayor Lisa Robinson, Commissioners Karen Marriott (District 1), and Jon Maldonado (District 4) said they could not support continuing the service, while Mayor Scott Tate also questioned whether the expense could be justified.
“We’re at a financial cliff,” Maldonado said.
Freebee Costs Draw Scrutiny
The current Freebee service costs the City about $38,000 per month, with roughly 4,000 trips each month. Staff estimated the City’s net cost at about $17 per trip.
Marriott questioned whether the City should subsidize rides when residents can use private services such as Uber and Lyft.
“Should the City be paying to subsidize rides that are very readily available in the private market?” Marriott asked.
Five vendors responded to the City’s request for alternative microtransit proposals, with annual bids ranging from about $225,000 to more than $1 million. Staff said Freebee’s proposal was near the middle of that range, but the City has not completed its review of the bids.
Microtransit is an on-demand transportation service similar to Uber or Lyft. St. Pete Beach currently subsidizes its Freebee service.
Robinson pointed to the City’s post-hurricane financial pressures, including stormwater and sewer needs and the possibility of higher property taxes and utility rates.
“We’re not in a financially good situation,” Robinson said.
[Read more below]
That’s not all that happened at the Aug. 25 St. Pete Beach Commission meeting. Read about fees and penalties for mothball case.
Commissioners Support PSTA Funding
While commissioners questioned Freebee’s future, they supported continuing the City’s agreement with the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.
PSTA is seeking a $242,000 City subsidy for fiscal year 2027, up from $220,000 this year. The request comes as PSTA considers eliminating Route 90, a limited commuter route used by some Don CeSar workers.
“Most of the riders have transitioned to the SunRunner,” PSTA CEO Brad Miller said. He added that eliminating Route 90 would leave some Don CeSar workers without direct service.
The remaining PSTA agreement would fund the Suncoast Beach Trolley and PSTA Access paratransit service.
PSTA reported about 70,000 Beach Trolley boardings in St. Pete Beach during the first 10 months of the fiscal year. From Oct. 1 through June 30, PSTA also recorded about 3,800 Access and Mobility on Demand trips originating in the city, with roughly the same number of return trips.
PSTA offered a $4,000 first-year U-PASS program that would provide up to 200 verified residents with free rides on regular PSTA buses, including the trolley and SunRunner.
Extending the Beach Trolley south to County Beach Park would cost an estimated $175,000 to $200,000 annually. Extending the service to the Don CeSar would likely double that cost.
The Aug. 25 presentation was intended to provide staff with direction rather than secure a formal vote. City staff indicated they had enough guidance from commissioners to continue working through the budget and procurement process.
The next St. Pete Beach City Commission meeting in Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.
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