ZipCarts, a nightly shuttle service in Gainesville, and a formerly free ride, is now charging $3 per person.
“We have to charge because of our insurance with the company. The insurance increased, and in order to pay for it we need to generate more revenue,” said Jordan Long, one of the owners and cart operators.
Long said the main problem is that the company can’t anchor down large advertisements, so the ZipCarts are now more like a taxi service.
“We’re really concerned with keeping the streets safe. We want to keep drunk kids off the street late at night and keep the roads safe,” Long said. “We want to be there when people need a safe ride home.”
But students can still get a free ride for now.
ZipCarts teamed up with the UF Census Bureau to offer free rides around UF every Friday in February from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For Ashley Sammons, a UF senior, the eco-friendliness of the service is the best part. Charging ZipCarts costs 50 cents, and they do not need any gas to operate. Once fully charged, they can go 40 miles before needing to recharge.
“It’s a safe and convenient mode of transportation and cheaper than a taxi,” Sammons said. “I love how eco-friendly the ZipCarts are. It’s great.”
