Starting Tuesday, downtowners can catch a free ride in an electric vehicle that offers on-demand service. And it’s a Freebee.
Users can download the “Ride Freebee” app on a smartphone, then request a ride. The process is similar to ride-hailing apps like Uber, but there is no fee, and the all-electric cars are meant for short trips, like from work to lunch.
The Downtown Development Authority announced the unleashing of the small fleet, underwritten by commercial advertisers for a three-month trial period. The pilot program is Freebee’s first foray into Broward, and is meant to win over local decision-makers so service can continue — and expand to other pockets of Broward — with subsidies from local government or the new county transit tax, one of the company founders said.
The Freebee-brand electric cars, the brainchild of two University of Miami grads, already hum around the streets of eight cities in Miami-Dade County, and Islamorada in Monroe County.
In Fort Lauderdale, the fleet of three cars won’t solve the increasing gridlock, but DDA President Jenni Morejon said they’d offer one more alternative to the personal car. City residents listed traffic as their No. 1 concern in the last city survey.
“In the most simple terms, it’s another mobility option,” Morejon said. “If it’s fun, it’s a plus.”
The low-speed vehicles are capable of hitting 35 mph max. When the service kicks off Tuesday, downtown Fort Lauderdale voters will be able to hop a ride to the polls. The city has two bond issues on the ballot and charter changes that would move elections to November and increase the number of years city elected officials can stay in office.
The downtown service will operate in about 2.2 square miles north and south of the New River, from Seventh Street on the south, to Seventh Street on the north.
Seventh Avenue is the western boundary, and Fifteenth Avenue is the eastern. That zone takes in the Flagler Village neighborhood, as well as condos in the city center and courthouse zone.
Co-founder Jason Spiegel, 32, said the cars, which hold five passengers, are meant as a “first and last mile” connector to other mass transit, “making sure it’s a place where you don’t really need to own a car anymore.”
Companies like Freebee make money selling advertising for car placards, or are subsidized by local governments. App users see advertisements, discounts and promotions on their phones.
Spiegel said when local government picks up the cost for service, the app provides free advertising for local restaurants and companies.
City leaders said earlier this year they wanted to explore alternatives to the one-person, one-vehicle culture that continues to dominate in South Florida.
Last year saw the canceling of the planned Wave streetcar, which would have run on embedded rails downtown. Commissioners said they’d like to see transit with a more flexible route than fixed rail, and one that doesn’t cost hundreds of millions. The city is allowing dockless, electric scooters on sidewalks, as well.
Under state law, the low-speed Freebee cars can travel on local, county and state roadways, and can cross over but not travel along federal roads, like U.S. 1.
The service will operate until June 15, starting 10 a.m. except on Saturdays, when it starts at noon. Rides are available until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.