Freebee Dunedin Loop Now Making The Rounds In Downtown Dunedin

DUNEDIN, FL — With last week's official groundbreaking ceremony, the Freebie Dunedin Loop service has hit the streets of Dunedin, offering rides along two fixed routes through the city, eliminating the hassle of searching for parking spaces.

This groundbreaking addition to Dunedin's transportation landscape isn't simply a ride, said city commissioners. It's part of Dunedin's vision for a greener, more interconnected future.

The service was launched with the goal of fostering community connectivity, reducing traffic congestion, freeing up limited parking spaces, and helping to transform Dunedin into a city where living, working and playing can be achieved without owning a personal vehicle.

Also, by using a 100 percent electric fleet, this service will not only reduce carbon emissions but also promote environmental sustainability.

Providing a fixed-route looper service with eco-friendly and ADA-accessible vehicles, the Freebee Dunedin Loop will operate four days a week, from Thursday to Sunday, starting at 11 a.m. On Thursday, the service runs until 10 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, it operates until midnight. Sundays offer service until 7 p.m.

Related: 6-Month Pilot Shuttle Service To Be Launched By Dunedin

The key stops will be at hotels, parks, Dunedin City Hall, the marina, the hospital, surface parking lots and the Dunedin parking garage.

During spring training, the Looper route will be extended to ensure that Blue Jay fans get to and from TD Ballpark.

The service's extended hours will ensure that the community has access to reliable transportation throughout the weekend during the six-month pilot program.

To use the Freebee Dunedin Loop, passengers can either flag down a vehicle along the route or make use of the Ride Freebee mobile app, which allows real-time tracking and exploration of everything downtown Dunedin has to offer.

"We're thrilled to introduce our free, 100 percent electric transportation to the vibrant city of Dunedin," said Jason Spiegel, manager partner of the Miami-based Beefree LLC, contracted to implement the downtown looper. "Our mission is to create a platform that not only makes transportation easier but also fosters community one ride at a time. We're confident that the city will embrace this new eco-friendly way to move about the city."

The $127,830 pilot project was fully funded with Dunedin's share of American Rescue Plan Act dollars.

If the pilot is successful and the service becomes permanent, the city plans to acquire sponsorships to help pay for the loop service.

Fixed Routes

• The first route is designed for off-season or outside of spring training season with a wait of less than 10 minutes. Click here to view the off-season route.
• The second route is designed around spring training. There may be a short wait of no more than 13 minutes for a Loop to pick up passengers. Click here to view the on-season route.

Yes, the Looper is pet-friendly, is completely free to use though riders are welcome to tip their drivers and the vehicles are not driverless like the pilot Autonomous Vehicle Advantage service that was previously offered in Dunedin by the Pinellas Sunshine Transit Authority.

For answers to more questions, click here.