By Cindy Peterson
Mount Dora Approves Shuttle Service Coming This Fall
Mount Dora City Council approved a pilot shuttle service program in the downtown area on Monday night, marking a significant step in addressing parking and transportation issues within the city.
Beginning tentatively October 1, Freebee shuttle service will operate two electric vehicle shuttles from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays within the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) boundary. This one-year pilot program will conclude in September of next year, at which time the City Council will decide whether to extend the contract for additional two-year terms.
Jason Spiegel, Managing Partner of Freebee, addressed the council, explaining the shuttle’s broader impact.
“We are more than just transportation,” hey says. “We’re here to drive economic development, help local businesses, and promote everything the city has to offer.”
He also detailed the marketing and PR campaign planned ahead of the launch, emphasizing the service’s role in connecting residents, visitors, and workers to downtown Mount Dora.
The shuttle service aims to reduce carbon emissions using a 100% electric fleet and improve accessibility with a third vehicle designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Riders will be able to request on-demand rides via an app, through a dispatch center, or by flagging down a shuttle.
Funding for the shuttle service is included in the CRA budget, with opportunities for future grants to support the program’s expansion. The council underscored the importance of marketing to ensure public awareness and usage of the service. Spiegel assured the council of a rigorous data collection and reporting process to track the shuttle’s performance and make necessary adjustments.
With unanimous approval, the motion to launch the Freebee shuttle service was passed, contingent on the CRA board’s approval and minor modifications to the agreement. The council expressed optimism about the program’s potential to enhance transportation and economic activity in Mount Dora.
Recap:
- Service Provider: Freebee, a local Florida company operating since 2012.
- Tentative Service Start Date: October 1st.
- Pilot Program Duration: One year, concluding in September of the following year.
- Operation Days and Hours:
- Friday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Service Area: Within the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) boundary in Downtown Mount Dora.
- Vehicles:
- Two electric shuttles in operation.
- One additional vehicle designed to accommodate wheelchairs.
- Service Features:
- On-demand ride requests via a mobile app, dispatch center, or by flagging down the shuttle.
- Fixed route shuttle covering key points in the CRA district.
- Accessibility:
- Inclusion of a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to ensure equitable service.
- Marketing and PR Campaign:
- Comprehensive campaign ahead of the launch.
- Free advertising for local businesses in the Freebee app.
- Data Collection and Reporting:
- Real-time tracking of shuttle locations.
- Monthly and weekly reports on service performance.
- Heat mapping and key performance indicators (KPIs) available via a live dashboard.
- Surveying for qualitative and quantitative data.
- Safety Measures:
- Vehicles equipped with inward and outward-facing video cameras.
- Drivers undergo rigorous background checks, drug testing, and training.
- Real-time monitoring of driving behavior.
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.
