Breeze Transit Service Provider

Sarasota County is seeking a Consultant to provide shared-ride, demand-response transit services through the Breeze Transit Service Provider Request for Proposals (RFP). The county requires a transit service provider to operate comprehensive transportation services across three designated zones: Downtown Sarasota/Lido/Longboat, Venice/Englewood, and North Port. Services will include curb-to-curb transportation for the general public, veterans, ADA-eligible individuals, and Transportation Disadvantaged program participants. Proposers must demonstrate experience in real-time on-demand transit services and eligibility-based transit services within the past seven years. The contract is anticipated to have an initial term of 5 years, with a planned start date of January 1, 2026. Proposers will be responsible for operating both County-owned and contractor-provided vehicles, managing all operational aspects including staffing, vehicle maintenance, customer service, branding, reporting, and regulatory compliance. The RFP indicates that the county is transitioning from a dual-provider model to a unified single-provider system using a single software platform.

The procurement appears to have provisions supporting Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation, as outlined in the Grant Funded Contract Terms and Conditions attachment. The contract will be funded through multiple sources, including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. While specific award value is not explicitly stated, the historical ridership data suggests significant transit demand, with projected passenger trips of 387,954 in 2024. The current system provides services to community-based programs, with 57,763 trips supplied in 2024. Compensation will be on a per-vehicle hour basis, with pricing remaining firm for the first two years. The county's current transit infrastructure includes a comprehensive service system map covering Sarasota and Manatee Counties, fixed bus routes, and OnDemand service zones. The selected contractor will need to integrate with the existing Breeze brand, which was developed in Summer 2023 to create a cohesive transit network that reflects the community's coastal, leisurely lifestyle.