Swoop Miami: The fun free way to get around South Beach

Swoop Miami is the new taxi service in South Beach that promises you a free ride, anywhere you want to go. Driven by eco-friendly electric golf carts, they collect passengers from 1st -24th street and between Ocean Drive and Bay Road, covering all of South Beach. All you have to do is tip your driver.

HOW IT BEGAN

The concept of the free taxi service was first seen on college campuses to get drunk students home safely at the end of the evening. However Swoop Miami is the first company to take the idea off campus and put it into a city and out on the busy streets.

Alex Smith is the brains behind Swoop and he created the company while working a full time job. When Swoop first began he would work his day shift and then go out in the evenings to drive the first Swoop customers. This was his test phase for the company to see if Swoop could work. Six months later with the company growing rapidly in popularity, he quit his day job and went to work full time at Swoop. The company now operates 3 vehicles and employs 5 drivers: himself plus Adam Libinati, Eric Stevens, Greg Elsner, and Omarie Williams.

Swoop Miami owner Alex Smith talking to passengers

The company makes their money from the advertisements on the Swoop golf carts, ensuring a free ride for all the passengers. Swoop will only accept advertisers that share their core values, so you will only see products that are all natural and eco-friendly on the side of the carts.

Advertising on the Swoop golf cart

HOW IT WORKS

It is very easy to use Swoop. Simply call their number and tell them where you would like to be picked up. The driver gives an approximate wait time and the Swoop car will come to collect you. They will drive you to wherever you want to go in South Beach.

Swoop operates 7 days a week, 1pm until at least 2am, but if they are busy they will keep driving until the calls stop coming. Saturday nights they are known to be out till 5:30am picking up the last of their customers. They drive in sunshine or rain, and never turn down a pick up. The only time they do not drive is during flooding or a hurricane.

Alex Smith driving passengers on New Years Eve

When the cart pulls up to pick you up, don’t forget to call “Swoop Swoop!”. This is the unofficial catchphrase of the company that you hear regularly from Swoop fans as you drive along. It is a completely free taxi service but the drivers work only for tips, so don’t forget to tip your driver!

WHO USES SWOOP

Currently the company receives around 70 calls a day. The local residents account for 65% of the calls and many are regular customers. Some are known to use it daily, even up to three times a day. Swoop regularly take people to and from the grocery store, work places, hotels, nightclubs, on dates and one passenger takes it to her weekly AA meeting. The drivers know their regular passengers, and have been known to drop people home when they are too drunk to remember where they live!

A Swoop passenger stops off at the ATM

WHY SWOOPING IS FUN

Swoop is fast becoming the number one choice of getting round South Beach, and for good reason. The drivers are always friendly, smiling and happy, playing music as they drive round. The open air seating lets you interact with people out on the street, and as Swoop is very well known in the community, it is normal to drive by people who call out to the car, greeting it with “Swoop Swoop!” But most importantly, it’s fun! Swoop has no taxi meter to watch, no crazy cab driver breaking the speed limit, you can meet people from your own neighborhood or tourists enjoying the city, and it’s a very relaxing way to arrive at your destination.

So if you are reading this to help you get around during your Miami vacation, or you live here and need to get somewhere on the beach without the hassle of expensive parking, give Swoop a call. You can expect a free, fun ride, and to arrive at your destination with a big smile on your face.

Swoop Miami
305-409-6636
www.swoopmiami.com

Related Links: • Miami Beach Public Transportation • Miami Taxi Guide Related Categories: Miami: Travel News, Miami: Things to Do, A SoBe resident for 5 years, Jess’s writing focuses on healthy living in South Beach with a dose of British humor and a cheerful outlook on life in Miami. She can be found moderating the forum Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Jess. See more articles by Jess Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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