The Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Area (Area) Plan (DTOutlook) contains a specific goal of expanding transit options available to residents and visitors and notes the need to seek solutions to improve parking accessibility and options for downtown patrons, including the use of innovative solutions. Additionally, DTOutlook specifically identifies the retention of small businesses as a key opportunity to ensure the success of the redevelopment within Downtown Orlando. The purpose of the Ride DTO program is to improve accessibility and transit options, thereby also encouraging the retention of downtown businesses by increasing consumer spending and visitation in the area by funding on-demand rideshare within the area.

Circuit Transit, Inc. (Circuit) was selected through a competitive process by the City of Hollywood to provide on-demand transportation services to that municipality, and Circuit has extended such pricing to the CRA. Through the Downtown Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency Agreement for On-Demand Transportation Services (Agreement), Circuit would provide similar services to the CRA within the area.

According to the terms of the agreement, Circuit will provide on-demand shuttle services in five electric vehicles within the area. The services are aimed at serving visitors, residents, and workers by offering a convenient and efficient mobility option that will allow riders to request pick-up and drop-off within the area. The initial fare for the service is anticipated to be $1.00 per ride requested in Circuit’s phone application for the program. Ride DTO will operate for 10 hours a day, seven days a week, with a maximum of 70 hours per vehicle per week, for a total annual cost of up to $595,712.50.

Services to be provided by Circuit also include monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on the level of service and operational and financial data. This includes information on total ridership, missed rides, average wait times, trip duration, and pick-up and drop-off locations.

The agreement term is for twelve months and has two one-year option periods. Actual expenditures will vary based on the actual hours of vehicle operation at the established unit prices. The estimated annual expenditure is $595,712.50.

The City does not utilize other agencies’ contracts when there are opportunities for City-certified Minority Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) firms to participate. The Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Division has reviewed the subject procurement and has determined that there were no City-certified M/WBE firms that are able to provide the subject goods and services.

Approving Agreement with Circuit Transit Inc. for Operation of On-Demand Transportation Services, C24-0258, and authorizing the Chief Procurement Officer to execute the agreement and any renewals, as indicated above, in the estimated annual amount of $595,712.50, subject to review and approval by the City Attorney’s Office.