Veo program continues to grow, as well, latest City of Sarasota data show
Even in the traditionally slower summer months, the City of Sarasota’s free Bay Runner trolley and its Veo program have remained popular, as shown in the latest statistics that city Planning Director Steve Cover has provided to City Manager Marlon Brown.
In his Aug. 8 email, Cover wrote, “We hit the 400,000 rider mark for the trolley” before the end of July, with the VEO total exceeding “well over 300,000.”
“Awesome, Brown replied the same day.
Since the Bay Runner was launched in March 2022, it has carried 403,001 passengers, the report shows. For VEO, which started in April 2022, the count is 316,237.
The data run through July of this year.
The free Siesta Key trolley — rebranded in May as the Route 77 Siesta Islander — carried its millionth passenger in June 2022. That service was launched on March 20, 2017.
In July, the Bay Runner recorded 11,263 passengers, Cover’s Excel spreadsheet shows; for June, the report says, the total was 12,611; and for May, it was 15,221.
So far this year, the month with the largest Bay Runner passenger tally was March: 21,465. In March 2023, the figure was 21,598.
Typically, March is the busiest month in the county for visitors, as documented by the county’s tourism office. For years, spring “breakers” have traveled to Sarasota — many with family groups — to enjoy time on the beaches and at other destinations, leaders of Visit Sarasota County have pointed out.
April often comes in second in terms of the tourist tally, especially if the Easter holiday occurs that month, as the Sarasota County Tax Collector’s Office “bed tax” revenue reports make clear. (See the related article in this issue.) Easter this year was on March 31.
This April, the Bay Runner carried 18,086 passengers; the April 2023 count was lower, at 18,005.
The Bay Runner circulates between downtown Sarasota and Lido Key Beach, traveling across the Ringling Causeway Bridge and through St. Armands Circle.
For the Veo, the most recent monthly totals were as follows: July — 9,684; for June — 9,795; and for May — 12,583.
The May Veo figure topped the March total this year, which was 11,786. In April, the count was 11,451.
In March 2023, the Veo program recorded 13,996 users; in April 2023, the tally was 11,999.
The Veo program entails rentals of both scooters and bicycles. An app provides the locations where members of the public can find the vehicles for rent. A “user has to be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license,” the city’s website notes.
An app also is available for the Bay Runner, its website points out. The app shows real-time data, to allow riders to track when the next trolley will reach a stop near them.
“Live more. Drive less.” is the slogan for the trolley.