A shuttle service that gives free rides in elements of South Florida simply made individuals’s commutes simpler in northern Fort Lauderdale.
The on-demand service Freebee has added rides from Tri-Rail’s Cypress Creek station, at 5910 NW ninth Ave., to close by inns, hospitals, college and shops.
Transportation officers name it the “best of both worlds,” mixing the benefit and comfort of Uber or Lyft and the low value — free in this case — of public transportation. The program has been funded by a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation and, if officers decide it’s profitable, will contemplate increasing service to different stops.
Lesly Ponce, of Miami, takes Tri-Rail to work at her insurance coverage workplace in Fort Lauderdale on weekdays. To get from the station to her workplace, she would Uber, however now says she plans on utilizing Freebee. She described the expertise as “amazing.”
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Ponce was one of many first riders to make use of Freebee when it debuted Tuesday. Now it’ll assist minimize down on her value going to and from work. “It was very fast. I like it a lot,” she mentioned. “Super clean, friendly driver. I liked it a lot.”
According to the “Ride Freebee” app, the service will take individuals from the Tri-Rail station to Holy Cross Hospital, Broward Health Imperial Point, Holy Cross Hospital, Pine Crest School, North Ridge Shopping Center, in addition to a Westin resort, Hampton Inn and Extended Stay America.
One of the most important points with prepare transportation goes between residence, the prepare stations and work, college or one other vacation spot, in line with Steven Abrams, the manager director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which runs Tri-Rail.
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Traditionally, this hole could be crammed by taxis, Ubers or different rideshare companies and buses, however these usually value cash for commuters. “Always the biggest challenge for transit use is the so-called, ‘first and last mile,’” Abrams mentioned.
The bus service was suspended throughout the pandemic because the variety of customers declined and transportation officers have sought free or low-cost alternate options.
Freebee “combines the best of both worlds. It’s a handicap-accessible van that will go within a distance of our Cypress Creek station on demand,” Abrams mentioned.
Users obtain the “Ride Freebee” cell app and choose their vacation spot.
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According to the app, the service additionally serves Sunrise, Delray Beach and lots of communities throughout Miami-Dade County.
If this system close to the Cypress Creek Tri-Rail station is profitable, Abrams mentioned they’ll increase the service close to different stations.
Austen Erblat could be reached at aerblat@sunsentinel.com, 954-599-8709 or on Twitter @AustenErblat.