SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – As Seminole County gets ready to launch a new public transportation system this fall, we’re finally learning how much it will cost riders who plan to use “SCOUT” to get to work, school, doctor appointments, and more.
News 6 has been covering every step since the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners decided to phase out most fixed bus routes run by LYNX, and create a new rideshare model in partnership with Freebee. Tuesday, they approved a fare structure based on zone pricing.
They plan to start with 35 vehicles that will operate in five different zones throughout Seminole County, named after primary bodies of water such as “Monroe,” and “Brantley.”
Riders will be able request a ride on demand through a mobile app or by calling the Freebee dispatch center. How much you pay depends on where exactly you want to go.
During a presentation to the Commission Tuesday, graphs were shown with a $4 base price for a ride within the same zone. The price goes up as you travel to different zones, bringing the total to $7 for one-zone transfer, a $10 total for a two-zone transfer, or a total of $14 for a three-zone transfer.
[VIDEO: Seminole County to replace bus routes with ‘SCOUT’ micro-transit service this fall]
There are extra charges of $1 each depending on peak travel times, how many additional passengers need a ride, and if an extra seat is needed for a large item to be stored during the ride.
But there are also discounts available for seniors 65 and older, students, and low-income riders. There are also discounts if someone books through the app or if the pickup or drop off is at the nearest Sunrail station during operating hours.
Commissioners gave examples during their discussion Tuesday.
“If I am 65 or older or a student or low income high level, or low income low level, and I book through the app, I can go across the county for $7?” asked Commissioner Andria Herr. “For, $1.50 I can go to a grocery store in my zone one way?”
“That’s correct,” answered Assistant County Manager Kristian Swenson.
Commissioners praised the program and county staff for putting it together in a short amount of time ahead of the official launch in October.
Commissioner Amy Lockhart, who first brought up the need for the county to explore options outside of LYNX, said she believes they’ve found the right price.
“I think when this board said we want you to make it priced appropriately so everyone can afford to ride it, but priced high enough so that too many people can’t afford to ride it, we gave you the absolute most impossible needle to thread,” said Lockhart. “I think this does exactly what we wanted it to do.”
News 6 first reported in November that the county was looking to overhaul the current bus system, as concerns grew about the cost becoming unsustainable in future years.
Seminole County had pays about $17 million annually for its current LYNX service, which includes 11 fixed routes, two “NeighborLink” zones, and paratransit service.
When “SCOUT” officially launches in October, it will run alongside the current LYNX system. But by Jan. 10, the changes to the fixed route service will become effective and only the following bus routes will remain:
• S.R. 436 North & South (Link 436S; 436S)
• U.S. 17-92 reduced to Fern Park Super Stop area (Link 102)
• West S.R. 434 reduced to connect with SR 436 (Link 23)
• U.S. 441 Orange Blossom Trail stop (Link 106)
Paratransit services will also remain provided by LYNX.
When discussing the fares for the county’s rideshare model “SCOUT,” commissioners said they did not wish to compete with the private-sector or Uber, they wanted the fares to be market-based, and they wanted the fares to be close to what is currently being paid by riders who depend on public transportation.
“I think it’s incredibly important that we continue to tell the story that we are providing a better service for less money than what currently exists,” Commissioner Lockhart said.
Chairman Jay Zembower brought up concerns about the current price structure appealing to what he called “choice riders” who may overwhelm the system.
“My concern is that we’re going to have choice riders, those people who may not be using LYNX now, and that re going to take capacity on this,” said Zembower. “I’m not so sure that the fare level is high enough to further dissuade those people from doing so.”
County staff will be monitoring the system as it rolls out so they can finetune it as they go along.
“Let’s just tell the public that, you know, as things change and things get popular, and if things do happen like what you’re talking about – which may happen — then there is going to have to be some changes,” said Commissioner Bob Dallari. “There’s a limited amount of vehicles right now. So, what’s going to happen is the time will get stretched out. Those people may want to go back to Uber of Lyft because of that, because there was a quicker time frame.”
Zembower added, “The true intent of this Board was to replace the LYNX service, and we need to make sure that we stay focused on those users, not on ‘my wife and I would like to go to the steak house for $7. I mean, when it’s going to cost me, you know, $21 to call an Uber or whatever it is.’”
Commissioner Lockhart said there are people who don’t use the current LYNX system in Seminole County, who may be able to benefit from “SCOUT.”
“There are a whole bunch of people in this community who might benefit from public transportation who don’t have access to it now, and this will open that up for them,” said Lockhart.
The zone boundaries where “SCOUT” will operate include aras where there are medical facilities, government services, and grocery stores, so the county hopes people seeking essential services won’t have to take long trips through multiple zones. Four out of the five zones also have a SunRail station.
“Another aspect of this that I know we’re all excited about is the aspect of people getting to SunRail,” said Commissioner Bob Dallari. “We’ve all talked about it. This is going to help facilitate that, and we’ll have the data to see where the issues are.”
The county is planning to soft launch “SCOUT” in different zones starting in September, and have the full launch Oct. 15.