SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A month after its launch, Seminole County’s new SCOUT rideshare service is drawing mixed reviews from riders who face extended wait times but appreciate the lower costs compared to traditional ride-hailing services.
During a firsthand investigation of the service, News 6 found wait times stretching beyond 90 minutes, with fluctuating and unreliable arrival estimates. However, the service’s affordability — with rides costing as little as $1.50 — continues to attract users despite the inconvenience.
“Today was kind of difficult because I got a ride, it said 35-45 minutes. Then, it said 3 minutes. And then there was nothing. It went back up to 35-45 minutes, so that’s been kind of confusing,” said Chuck Carpenter, a SCOUT rider interviewed during the investigation.
A test ride requested at 1:58 p.m. took one hour and 36 minutes to arrive, followed by additional stops to pick up other passengers. The total journey time stretched to nearly two hours.
By comparison, a return trip using Uber arrived within 15 minutes and completed the same route in less than an hour. However, the Uber fare was significantly higher at $30 plus tip, compared to Scout’s $9.50 rate.
Seminole County officials acknowledge the timing issues and are taking steps to address them. The county plans to:
- Implement new tools to improve estimated wait time accuracy
- Adjust driver schedules to increase shuttle availability during peak hours
Despite the delays, some riders remain optimistic about the service.
“I think it’s an asset to the community,” Carpenter said. “It works out good for a lot of people. And it’s affordable. They just charge me a dollar fifty to get to SunRail, so that’s pretty cheap.”
SCOUT’s pricing structure positions it as an affordable alternative to both traditional ride-hailing services and bus transportation:
- Scout ride to SunRail: $1.50
- Standard Scout ride: $9.50
- Comparable Uber ride: $30+ (before tip)
The service continues to operate throughout Seminole County, with officials working to balance affordability with service reliability.