We are asking the City of St. Augustine to support small businesses like Pineapple Ride & Tour, which provide essential transportation services and experiences for visitors, including those with mobility challenges.

Recently, the City has proposed ordinances (Chapter 14 and Chapter 27) limiting the number of vehicles allowed on the road for businesses like ours. While we understand the need for thoughtful traffic management, the City should not impose arbitrary limits on local businesses, especially those that provide critical services to the community and visitors. Such restrictions could significantly impact our ability to operate and serve residents and tourists.

Why this matters:

• Pineapple Ride & Tour provides safe, accessible transportation for seniors, visitors with disabilities, and those with mobility limitations.
• Limiting our fleet reduces our ability to assist tourists, which directly impacts the city’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
• Supporting small businesses ensures local economic growth and preserves the unique services that make St. Augustine a special place to visit.
• It stops the growth of a small, locally owned business from meeting the needs of visitors to St. Augustine.
• Pineapple Ride & Tour has been a registered, locally owned business for over 10 years, contributing to the local economy and supporting St. Augustine’s tourism industry.
• Local businesses should have the same opportunity to bid on transportation and mobility contracts as outside competitors. At present, these opportunities have largely been restricted to non-local companies.

We respectfully request that the City allow small transportation businesses to operate without arbitrary limits, especially when these services support accessibility and enhance tourism.