On-Demand Transit Services Launch Countywide June 5

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Sarasota County Area Transit launches its new mobility service plan June 5.

The goal of “OnDemand by Sarasota County” is to eliminate and modify fixes routes that are underperforming, improve schedule performance, and expand curb-to-curb service, SCAT said in a news release.

It will serve four specialized zones and operate much like ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. Those zones include:

• North Port
• Longboat Key, Lido Key and downtown Sarasota
• Venice and Englewood
• Siesta Key

The service changes are part of a series of recommendations that followed an 18-month evaluation of the current SCAT operations.

“I'm looking forward to implementing the new services that were supported by the county commission, while building on our successes,” SCAT Director Jane Grogg said. “Our goal is to continue providing the highest quality service, while offering new transit choices to the community.”

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An OnDemand vehicle will pick up customers within 30 minutes of the ride request and take them to their destinations within the same zone. Other customers traveling similar routes may ride along. Vehicles will be similar to minivans, and accessible for those using mobility devices or needing a ramp to board.

Curb-to-curb rides for this new service will be available 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Each ride will cost $1.25 and rides can be paid for using an online registration service, an app or paying cash to the driver. Reservations are required to use this service.

Additional transit changes beginning June 5 include the elimination of fixed routes 1A, 4, 11, 16, 18, 23, 26, 28, 40 and 100.

There will also be modifications to the routes and schedules for fixed routes 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 30.

SCAT’s most popular routes — 6, 12, 17, 33, 99 and the Siesta Key Breeze — will operate with only a few schedule changes.

Customers can request a ride via a mobile app, which is available in app stores for iPhone and Android devices, online at scgov.net/OnDemand, or by calling a dedicated call center at 941-300-1553 after the launch date of June 5. Customers may also email questions to support-sarasota@ridewithvia.com.

To learn more about SCAT service and routes call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net.