Mobility OnDemand - Sarasota County Transit

About the Program

Category: Transportation (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Sarasota County’s public transportation system was assigning an urban (fixed route bus) model in a mostly suburban geography. The structure was inefficient and did not meet the transportation needs or wants of the community. That inefficiency, coupled with the Covid impacts of a travel-wary public and high driver turnover, led to unreliable service at an unforgiving expense. There was a call for redesign. A study was conducted. Recommendations were made. Action was taken: in June 2021, Sarasota County launched OnDemand. OnDemand is a curb-to-curb rideshare (demand-response public transportation) service. Its founding principles were the elimination of low-performing fixed routes, the application of subsequent savings to a new mobility on demand service, and integration of the two services into a hybrid transportation network. Goals of the redesign included increasing ridership, enhancing the customer experience, and adding value to taxpayers. Nearly two years after the launch, Sarasota County plans to keep its hybrid fixed route + OnDemand mobility system. OnDemand ridership continues to grow. Customers report high satisfaction ratings. Cost per passenger has decreased. People who never used public transportation are now riding. OnDemand has become a model for future initiatives at Sarasota County Transit, and a flagship service of Sarasota County.