Sarasota's Breeze OnDemand Fare Hike: What Riders Need to Know!
Sarasota County's Breeze OnDemand service will see increased fares effective July 1, 2025, due to rising demand and budget challenges.
Sarasota's Breeze OnDemand Fare Hike: What Riders Need to Know!
As we move into July, Sarasota County is bracing for changes to its popular Breeze OnDemand service, which has rapidly gained traction among locals since its launch in 2021. The County Commission has just approved a fare hike for the ride-sharing program, adjusting the pricing structure to better accommodate the swelling demand and unpredictable federal grants.
The new fare system, set to take effect on July 1, sees the initial trip price rise from $2 to $3 for the first three miles, with an additional dollar for each mile thereafter. Despite this increase, riders can take comfort in a $6 cap on fares, ensuring that transportation remains affordable, particularly when compared to private rides from services like Uber and Lyft. As highlighted by the Herald-Tribune, the service remains a strong alternative, particularly for those making frequent trips across southern Sarasota County.
Robust Growth
Breeze OnDemand’s popularity has skyrocketed, logging over 300,000 rides in fiscal year 2023 alone—an impressive 20% jump from the previous year. Overall, the Breeze system, which received a facelift through rebranding from Sarasota County Area Transit last year, recorded 2.18 million trips in the same period, marking a steady 5.17% increase according to WUSF.
With 39 minivans and SUVs servicing four distinct zones, Breeze OnDemand successfully connects riders across North Port, Venice, Englewood, Siesta Key, and Downtown Sarasota. Riders can request a ride via a smartphone app or a simple phone call, typically getting picked up within minutes. The fare structure has been praised by users, especially with the ease of door-to-door service.
Considering the Seniors
Despite the fare adjustments, there was a proposal to implement free rides for residents over 80, a measure supported by Commissioner Mark Smith who believes it could help seniors reduce their driving needs. However, due to budget considerations and a push from Commissioner Ron Cutsinger to ensure all demographics are considered, the idea was ultimately shelved, pending more thorough budget impact data.
Currently, about 5% of riders are over the age of 80, although tracking specific ridership statistics for this older demographic remains a challenge. Those who are eligible can take advantage of the county’s Transportation Disadvantaged Fare program, which offers discounted rides at $1.50. With just 11% of Breeze’s budget covered by fare revenues, the need for federal grants to balance the budget becomes increasingly essential.
Future Outlook
The budget for Breeze OnDemand has seen a steep increase, rising from $2.1 million in 2022 to a projected $5.7 million in 2024. This marks a significant growth trajectory, indicating a demand that the county is prepared to meet head-on. As APTA reports, ridership across transit services in the U.S. has shown trends of recovery and growth, suggesting a brighter future for public transportation options.
As Sarasota County continues to fine-tune its transportation strategies, including measures to enhance connectivity between on-demand and fixed routes, the Breeze service is on track to redefine local transit. Efficient alternatives for transportation are crucial for everyday commuters and leisure travelers alike—Sarasota’s efforts to improve ridership and service efficiency may just pave the way for an even more robust community transit system down the road.