For fixed routes, fees vary depending on age and other factors
Starting July 6, Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) will resume the collection of fares for all services, county staff has announced.
The fares, which were suspended as part of Sarasota County’s response to COVID-19, “will apply to fixed route service and SCAT Plus,” a news release says. The fares will be at the levels where they were prior to their suspension in 2020, the release points out. In addition, front-door boarding will resume.
For SCAT’s fixed-route bus service, the following fares apply:
- Regular one-way service is $1.25.
- Adults who are 65 and older, those who are Medicare patients, and those with disabilities pay 60 cents for one-way service.
- Adults 80 years of age and older ride for free.
- Two children age 5 and younger may ride for free per passenger; for each additional child, the cost is 60 cents.
The Siesta Key Breeze trolley remains free.
Beginning June 28, passes will be available at the SCAT transfer station on Lemon Avenue in downtown Sarasota, the release notes.
SCAT Plus will collect $2.50 for each one-way trip for eligible persons with disabilities and for those certified as transportation-disadvantaged because of age, income or disability. Advanced reservations are required to use that curb-to-curb service, the release says.
For questions about eligibility, a person may call the SCAT mobility coordinator at 941-861-1042.
On June 5, SCAT launched its new OnDemand service as part of its efforts to improve efficiency and provide new options for riders, the release continues.
An OnDemand vehicle picks up customers within 30 minutes of their ride requests and takes them to their destinations within specified zones. The vehicles, which are similar to minivans, are accessible for those using mobility devices or needing a ramp to board, the release notes.
Curb-to-curb rides for this new service are available from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Each ride costs $1.25, the release says. A person may pay for the rides through an online registration service or an app, or an individual may pay cash to the driver. Reservations also are required to use this service, the release points out. They may be made through the OnDemand at Sarasota County app, online, or by calling 941-300-1553.
For more information regarding SCAT, call the county Contact Center at 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net.