Kissimmee city commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday evening to renew the contract for a free downtown ride service that has seen significant ridership growth since its launch in 2023.
The city’s contract with Freebee, a microtransit service that offers free rides in Tesla Model X vehicles throughout downtown Kissimmee, was up for renewal at a cost of $421,768 for the period from March 2026 to March 2027.
Freebee is the same company that operates Seminole County’s Scout service, which has faced criticism for long and unreliable wait times. However, the Kissimmee service appears to be performing differently.
Unlike traditional ride-sharing services, Freebee operates as a “last mile” transit option in Kissimmee, helping passengers travel between major destinations like HCA Florida Osceola Hospital and Kissimmee City Hall from bus stops and train stations. Unlike Scout in Seminole County, which is replacing existing bus routes, Kissimmee’s service complements the current transit system.
The contract renewal includes formal recognition of funding contributions from both the Downtown Kissimmee Community Redevelopment Agency and the Vine Street Community Redevelopment Agency, which will be added as official parties to the agreement.