Tuesday, January 8, 2019

At least Pinecrest has the Freebee, what about Palmetto Bay's? - service should have started in December 2018.

At one time, Freebee was set to initiate service in Palmetto Bay in December, 2018. I would like to see a status report and explanation as to why our planned service has gone off line? The status was on time, ready to go, set for the anticipated December, 2018, launch, as late as October, 2018.  (My involvement obviously ceased as of November 6, 2018.)

For background, please see my prior post of March 30, 2018, Offering up solutions to transit. I am sponsoring the Freebee alternative on Mon., April 2. I hope my fellow council members jump on board.  And note that Palmetto Bay was awarded and did accept the 3 year TPO grant to sponsor this on demand service.

My last communication with Jason Spiegel, Managing Partner, Freebee, was October 23, 2018, about a week after Freebee brought out the fully prepped Palmetto Bay Freebee Vehicle to the State of the Village. Managing Partner Spiegel's timeline was to launch the Palmetto Bay service in December. (I do not know if this vehicle has been reoutfitted to serve other areas or if it remains in a garage waiting the green light.

So what happened to a December/Holiday start to the Palmetto Bay Freebee service? I asked last  January 4th, where's the Palmetto Bay Freebee?


Pinecrest is moving forward with this service.  The Pinecrest Village Council invites you to the official launch of the Pinecrest's new on-demand transportation service - Pinecrest FREEBEE. This SMART Demonstration Project is a collaborative effort with the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). The event is set to take place Wednesday, January 16th, 11:00 a.m. at Evelyn Greer Park.

For more information about the service, please visit www.pinecrest-fl.gov/FREEBEE. For more information about the TPO and other demonstration projects, please visit tinyurl.com/y9682jhu.


Palmetto Bay, it's our move.  Where are we on Palmetto Bay's Freebee? I asked this question earlier, asking Where’s the Freebee, the on demand service we worked for (and obtained a large 3 year grant) in order to commence service during the holiday break, December 2018? 
Palmetto Bay was close to starting the Freebee service. Pictured is the first
Freebee vehicle completed and ready for service. Ads were running seeking drivers
The Palmetto Bay Freebee service should be up and running, serving our village residents and local businesses, circulating through the village on call and even providing service to The Falls Shopping Center and Jackson South Medical Center (just to name two large destinations outside of Palmetto Bay, but within the projected service range). The Freebee is ADA accessible and would be available to take seniors or those who choose not to drive to local grocery stores and other shops.  Palmetto Bay should not be neglecting this outstanding service. 

I recommend that you attend the Pinecrest event to hear what this Freebee service will provide for the residents of Pinecrest - again, this event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16th, 11:00 a.m. at Evelyn Greer Park.  

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