Seminole County Prepares to Launch “Scout,” a New Era of Transit with Freebee

Seminole County, FL — Big changes are on the way for public transit in Seminole County. This October, the county will roll out Scout, a new on-demand transportation system powered by Freebee, designed to bring residents faster, more reliable, and more flexible ways of getting around.

Scout will replace existing LYNX bus routes with a fleet of 35 Freebee vehicles that will operate seven days a week, from the early morning through the evening. The service divides the county into five zones, with fares determined by where trips begin and end. Commissioners are expected to finalize fare structures by August 26, with discounted rates available for seniors, students, and low-income residents.

The service has been designed with efficiency in mind, with estimated wait times averaging around 20 to 22 minutes. By moving to this micro-transit model, Seminole County anticipates saving approximately $7 million annually, while also delivering more dynamic service coverage than traditional fixed bus routes could provide.

Beyond convenience and cost savings, Scout is expected to help solve a long-standing challenge: connecting residents to the SunRail. Through the Scout app, riders will be able to request a direct trip to the nearest SunRail station, creating seamless first-mile/last-mile connections that county leaders hope will increase ridership on the commuter rail system.

Reaction among residents has been mixed. Long-time LYNX rider Dwayne Grey, who has relied on buses since he was 18, admitted he felt “appalled” and “disappointed” when he learned of the change, though he remains cautiously hopeful about what Scout could offer — especially if the service proves to be reliable. Other riders are more optimistic.

Deniel Perez, a daily SunRail commuter, noted that the new service could be a game-changer: “The price is right… you can get in an accident driving, but here it doesn’t stop—you don’t have traffic.” For him, seamless rides to and from the train station could make commuting easier and safer.

County commissioners acknowledge there will be a learning curve, but they believe the long-term benefits will outweigh the transition pains. “This is a forward-looking change,” Commissioner Amy Lockhart said, emphasizing the importance of modernizing mobility to meet both current and future needs.

As Scout prepares to hit the road, all eyes will be on how residents respond to this shift in local transportation. If successful, it could not only reshape how people travel through Seminole County but also serve as a model for other communities looking to save money, reduce congestion, and expand access to sustainable public transit.

Source: https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2025/08/12/semnole-county-scout-