City of Sarasota: Bay Runner ridership tops 250,000 passengers

Media Contact: Jan Thornburg, Communications General Manager | jan.thornburg@sarasotaFL.gov 

Sarasota, FL (Sept. 26, 2023): The City of Sarasota’s free, award-winning Bay Runner trolley has reached another milestone, carrying 250,000 passengers since its launch in March 2022.

“Transporting a quarter of a million passengers in just 18 months is impressive,” said Parking General Manager Broxton Harvey. “Sarasota residents and visitors want convenient, affordable transportation options for the first or last mile of their trip. With the Bay Runner, riders are leaving the car behind and getting to their destination in a safe, fun way, while doing their part to help reduce traffic.”

Fran Seminerio, a Lido Key resident, was celebrated at the John Ringing Boulevard/St. Armands Circle trolley stop as the 250,000th rider and presented with a City of Sarasota backpack filled with goodies for a Bay Runner passenger on the move, including reusable water bottles and an umbrella. Seminerio enjoys the convenience of the Bay Runner and rides it weekly.

The Bay Runner provides free service on a fixed route along Main Street through downtown, over the John Ringling Causeway Bridge, around St. Armands Circle, to Lido Beach and Ted Sperling Park.

The trolley was identified through citizen input during the creation of the City’s first master transportation plan, Sarasota in Motion, adopted by City Commissioners in 2020. The plan also identified micro-mobility options that work in conjunction with the trolley for first-mile, last-mile trips, like the Veo e-scooter/bicycle rental program.

The International Parking & Mobility Institute recognized the combined use of the Bay Runner and micro-mobility options with an Award of Excellence for innovation in 2022.

The Bay Runner hours of operation are:

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

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

City of Sarasota Parking General Manager Broxton Harvey celebrating Sarasota
resident Fran Seminerio as the 250,000th Bay Runner rider.

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About the City of Sarasota:  Distinguished by U.S. News and World Report as the No. 5 Best Place to Live in the U.S. and the top 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