City of Sarasota: Bay Runner hours to change June 1

Media Contact: Drew Winchester, Communications Specialist - Drew.Winchester@sarasotaFL.gov 

Sarasota, FL (May 25, 2023):  Service changes for the popular Bay Runner take effect starting June 1, 2023.

New hours of operation will be:

• 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.
• 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

The new hours reflect an adjustment to service as part-time residents and visitors decline in the summer. It also offers an opportunity for riders to reach their place of employment prior to 8 a.m.

“We want to provide not only the best customer service to the community, but also focus on cost savings during the off season,” he said, adding, “The Bay Runner has been an incredible success. And we continually encourage utilizing this free and convenient travel option to explore our beautiful city.”

Since the first day of service on March 2, 2022, the Bay Runner has carried nearly 200,000 passengers. This convenient, safe and free service serves a fixed route along Main Street through downtown, over the Ringling Bridge, around St. Armands Circle, and to Lido Beach and Ted Sperling Park.

A route map is available at www.SarasotaBayRunner.com A mobile app with real time tracking and arrival information can be downloaded via the Apple App Store and Google Play.

The Bay Runner carries 28 passengers, is equipped with a wheelchair boarding lift and transports bicycles.

The service is operated by CPR Medical Transport, the same company that runs the popular Siesta Key Breeze trolley.

The trolley, plus micro mobility options, were identified through citizen input during the creation of the City’s first transportation master plan, Sarasota in Motion, adopted by the City Commission in 2020.

As a result, the City Commission partnered with the Downtown Improvement District (DID), St. Armands Business Improvement District (BID), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and City staff to launch the trolley service. In addition to City economic development funds, and a $1.5 million FDOT grant, the DID and BID each allocate $50,000 annually toward the initial three-year program.

The City’s trolley and e-scooter/bike rental programs were honored together in June 2022 by the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) with an Award of Excellence for innovation with a mobility program.

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About the City of Sarasota:  Distinguished by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top five Best Places to Live in the U.S. and the number one place in Florida, the City of Sarasota is a diverse and inclusive community located on Florida’s Suncoast with 56,000 year-round residents, several internationally recognized cultural arts venues, stunning sunsets along Lido Beach and Major League spring training baseball with the Baltimore Orioles. Learn more about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov