KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Leaders in Kissimmee are deciding whether to continue a service that offers free, on-demand transit for riders in downtown and other areas of the city.
At a meeting on Tuesday, commissioners are expected to vote on renewing the microtransit services contract with Freebee, LLC.
Freebee began in Kissimmee on March 13, 2023, with the intent to provide “last-mile” connectivity between SunRail and downtown businesses, major employers, residential areas, and key points of interest in Kissimmee.
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While the service is free to the rider, it comes at a cost to taxpayers. For the city to renew the contract with Freebee from March 2025 through March 2026, it would cost $413,498.
Armando Flores lives in Kissimmee and has previously used the Freebee. He said if the city decides to renew the contract, they should expand to a wider area of service.
“If they could do an expansion, that would be great,” Flores said. “More convenient stops would be awesome, especially for seniors going shopping or something like that would be convenient.”
According to the city, the first full month of Freebee service in April 2023 resulted in ridership of 394 passengers. The most recent full month of service in January 2025 yielded 2,186 passengers, which represents 454% increase in ridership since the start of the service.
With the success of the program, city staff recommended approval of the contract renewal.
The service area for Freebee was expanded in April 2024 to include commercial areas west of John Young Parkway and the city is discussing additional expansion.
Commissioners will receive an update on the service and are expected to vote on Freebee’s contract during their meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m.