Sarasota County Government’s vision statement calls for “easy movement through mobility options.” The Breeze public transit system is answering that call – and here’s why it matters.

Sarasota County is a haven for U.S. retirees. Nearly 4 in 10 residents are aged 65 and older. They celebrate a high quality of life thanks to the outdoor spaces, recreation facilities, cultural amenities, lifelong learning activities and medical resources available; however, accessing these destinations can be an obstacle. Aging-related conditions such as dementia, hearing and vision loss, and physical limitations contribute to a higher likelihood of car accidents among elderly drivers. For many older individuals, surrendering the car keys is inevitable. Breeze buses and Breeze OnDemand vans provide safe transportation that allows independent seniors to continue enjoying our paradise.

Similar to retirees, tourists seek Sarasota County’s best attractions. The community welcomes over two million visitors each year. Less common road infrastructure like roundabouts and diverging diamonds can be confusing. Unfamiliar street names and traffic congestion can make navigation a challenge, not to mention the distractions of vibrant architecture, lively building murals and dazzling beaches. For years the Breeze Siesta Key open-air trolley has immersed tourists in the island vibe on Siesta Key. Soon the Breeze 76 Flyer will seamlessly carry visitors from SRQ Airport to their hotels in Downtown Sarasota. For the half million visitors who arrive without a car, public transit delivers that easy vacation feeling.

Though they are essential to our retiree and tourism focused economy, service industry employees often struggle financially. Affordable workforce housing is a recurring communitywide topic. In Sarasota County, almost one-third of all households have working adults with constrained incomes and limited assets (“ALICE” households). The countywide standard is to own 2 cars, and average transportation costs are more than 10% of ALICE household budgets. Replacing a car payment with a bus pass or OnDemand fare can significantly alleviate financial hardship for the employees who are critical to our community’s success.

Recruiting young talent to Sarasota County is a top priority. The northern U.S. 41 corridor is home to Ringling College, New College of Florida, and University of South Florida (Sarasota-Manatee). Connecting inquisitive minds to off-campus professional internships, service projects, and cultural festivities is at the core of building meaningful, lasting engagement with our community. For the many college students who do not have a car on campus, Breeze routes 2, 8, and 99 are the link to Downtown Sarasota.

Every year more people discover the leisure and beauty of Sarasota County. Every year more people choose to call it their home. And every year, the Citizen Opinion Survey reveals that traffic congestion is among the Top 3 resident concerns. At Breeze Transit, we believe a robust and well-utilized public transportation system will help to mitigate the impacts of continued population growth. We are using data-driven decision making and strategic planning to set the local framework of our transportation future.

Breeze moves the community forward. Learn more at scgov.net/breeze and become a public transit supporter today.