A shuttle service that provides free rides in components of South Florida simply made folks’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, faculty and shops.
Transportation officers name it the “best of both worlds,” mixing the convenience and comfort of Uber or Lyft and the low price — 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 take into account 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.”
Ponce was one of many first riders to make use of Freebee when it debuted Tuesday. Now it’ll assist lower down on her price 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 folks 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 lodge, Hampton Inn and Extended Stay America.
One of the most important points with practice transportation goes between residence, the practice stations and work, faculty or one other vacation spot, based on Steven Abrams, the manager director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which runs Tri-Rail.
Traditionally, this hole can be stuffed by taxis, Ubers or different rideshare providers and buses, however these usually price 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 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” cellular app and choose their vacation spot.
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.
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