Free ride service launches in Palmetto, Bradenton

A new free ride service is now available in Manatee County. Freebee, which exclusively uses electric vehicles, is providing service for people traveling in Palmetto and downtown Bradenton.

Freebee operates in more than 45 markets across Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, according to its media kit. The Miami-headquartered company reports it receives about 5,000 requests for rides each day and has more than 1.5 million annual passengers.

Top pickup and drop-off locations, according to Freebee, are shopping, work and dining.

Other areas in the region that also offer Freebee include Dunedin and St. Pete Beach.

The service is powered by advertising, through vehicle wraps, ads on its app and in-vehicle videos and experiences, among other delivery mechanisms. The company reports it has worked with hundreds of brands, among them Burger King, T Mobile, Capital One, Gatorade, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, the U.S. Army, AT&T, Aquafina and Coors Light.

Palmetto and Bradenton partnered to provide the free on-demand service within the two Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA) in Manatee County.

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“The CRA hopes this will increase accessibility for community members and promote local businesses in a sustainable way,” the city of Palmetto says on its website.

Freebee runs in Bradenton and Palmetto Wednesday through Sunday, with no service on Monday and Tuesday. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. 

People can request service by downloading the Freebee app on the company's website.