LTC 008-2023 Mayor's 41st Street Blue Ribbon Committee MotionMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
NO. LTC#
008-2023
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
Honorable Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
DATE: January 10, 2023
SUBJECT: Mayor's 41 st Street Blue Ribbon Committee Motion
The purpose of this Letter to the Commission ("L TC") is to inform the Mayor and Commission of
a motion made by the Mayor's 41 st Street Blue Ribbon Committee at its meeting on Thursday,
December 8, 2022.
Members present: Yechiel Ciment (Chair) Bonnie Crabtree (Vice Chair), Betty Behar, Michael
Burnstine, Seth Gadinsky, Eric Hankin, and Robin Jacobs.
Motion: The Mayor's 41 st Street Blue Ribbon Committee recommends the City of Miami Beach
support an increase and expansion of the Freebee fleet, from two (2) vehicles to eight (8) vehicles,
to service the Mid -Beach area .
Motion made by: Seth Gadinsky
Motion seconded by: Betty Behar
Motion passed: 7-0
Background on the Mid -Beach On-Demand Transit (Freebee) Service
Pursuant to a contract with the City, Freebee has been providing on-demand transit service in the
Mid -Beach area since May 2019. The service provides first/last mile connectivity in areas that are
currently not served or underserved by the Miami Beach trolley or Miami-Dade County bus
services. The popular alternative transportation service assists the City in achieving resilience
and mobility goals, reduces carbon footprint, reduces congestion, and improves mobility options
for our residents.
On November 16, 2022, the City Commission approved a new five (5) year agreement with
Freebee, wherein two (2) electric vehicles will continue to serve the Mid -Beach area. The new
contract includes the option to use Tesla passenger vehicles, at the City's discretion. Based on
a review of the current service level, the average passenger wait time is under twenty (20) minutes
which is comparable to the average wait time of our citywide trolley service. At this time, the
Administration believes that the current service level is appropriate for the demand generated
within the Mid-Beach service area. City staff will continue to monitor the service and work with
Freebee to ensure maximum efficiency and identify if any service improvements are warranted.
Please contact Diana Fontani Martinez, Redevelopment Specialist, at
dianafontani@miamibeachfl.gov or Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager/Economic
De;.me~'.ector, at rickellewilliams@miamibeachft.gov should you have any questions.
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