ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Due to increased insurance costs, the popular Monkey Bus shuttle service on and around the Island has been suspended with the hope of resuming operations soon.
Sally Dirbas and her son, Mitchell Gross, bought the Monkey Bus business from its previous owners in June 2022. According to Dirbas, the Monkey Bus suspended service a few minutes before midnight at the close of business on Aug. 2.
The next day, the following announcement was posted on the Monkey Bus Facebook page: “Since the new ownership took over the Monkey Bus a year ago, we have worked incredibly hard to improve our service with new buses, well-qualified drivers, tens of thousands of dollars in maintenance, new stereos, security cameras in every bus and much more.
“Despite our efforts to run this business in a way not only us, but the community also can be proud of, we continue to fight a battle that has been longer than we could have ever expected. That battle is insurance costs, which have risen so high that we cannot continue to run until we restructure and come to a long-term agreement with a company that we can afford.
“The Monkey Bus is a local, family-owned ‘mom and pop’ company and we will get everything worked out. We are not going out of business, and we are not leaving the community we love and call home. Thanks for your support, 99% of all the messages and feedback we get are positive and we are beyond appreciative. We will keep you updated on progress and hope to have this resolved quickly,” the announcement says.
“I have to have commercial transportation insurance because the liability of having passengers is so much more than a regular vehicle,” Dirbas told The Sun.
Elty Fox, left, Rick Thress, Ben Kendrick, Sally Dirbas, Mitchell Gross and Robert Powell admired the fleet of Monkey Buses after the business changed hands in June 2022. – Jason Schaffer | Sun
After acquiring the business in 2022, Dirbas obtained an insurance policy from Progressive Insurance. But, when later reading that policy’s fine print, she realized the policy didn’t allow the Monkey Buses to pick up passengers at a residence, condo or hotel.
“I could only drive them from business to business,” she said.
In February, Dirbas took out a new insurance policy with the National Indemnity Company (NICO). The new policy initially cost $300 more per month than the previous policy but appeared to provide all the needed coverage. Two weeks later, Dirbas was informed that her new policy was increasing from $2,195 a month to nearly $20,000 a month because the insurance company re-categorized the Monkey Bus’s insurance needs to be more akin to that of a commercial bus line.
According to Dirbas, NICO is one of only three insurance underwriters nationwide that write the type of insurance policy she needs. While trying to resolve the extreme rate hike, Dirbas said she paid the $20,000 monthly insurance bill out of her pocket for six months before canceling the policy and allowing it to expire on Aug. 3.
Dirbas tried but could not get another policy quote while holding her current policy. She was told she needed to cancel her existing policy and wait at least 15 days before a new quote could be given.
“We had no choice. We had to close that policy to maybe get a more affordable policy,” she said.
Until recently, the Monkey Bus, which has been in service since 2014, operated as a free, tips-only business, with additional revenues generated by business advertisements placed on the buses. To help offset the increased insurance, maintenance and fuel costs, the Monkey Bus recently started charging passengers a $5 fare.
Dirbas said the only income she earns from the business for herself are the tips she receives while driving one of the buses. She said all revenues received from advertisers are used to cover operating expenses. “I’m like all the other drivers. That’s how I get paid. I also do the office work,” she said.
Dirbas said the Monkey Bus provides income for eight people including herself, her son, a Sun employee and a paraplegic person who answers the phone. Everyone who works at the Monkey Bus is an independent contractor.
“He’ll be homeless next month without a job,” she said of the paraplegic person.
“The Monkey Bus is not a service anyone is going to get rich off. We bought it because we want to do this as a community service for all the business owners, bars, residents and visitors,” Dirbas said.
Dirbas said there was a possibility of taking on an additional business partner or finding an “angel investor” to assist with the costs. Despite the challenges, Dirbas is confident the Monkey Buses will soon roll again.
“The Monkey Bus will be back on the road next weekend or soon after that,” she said. “I’m a fighter, I’m not going to give up. I’ll make sure we get back on the road doing what we do,” Dirbas said.
Community support
As of Friday evening, the Monkey Bus Facebook post had received more than 560 likes and had generated 120 comments.
Casey Phillis wrote: “You guys are an Island staple and have to stay open. Wishing you the best of luck.”
Anita C Beale Diaz wrote: “Get that Go Fund Me page set up. I’ll contribute annually! Most definitely gotta keep the Monkey Bus running! I love its practicality; no rental car is needed while I’m on Island.”
Francesca Cole wrote: “Well, that makes me extremely sad! You are one of the top reasons I chose to vacation there this week! I was super comfortable with the thought of turning my small group of 21-year-olds loose on the Island knowing they would be well taken care of and have your service as part of their experience.”
Cathy Strouse Rukstelo wrote: “You guys are a big part of what makes Anna Maria Island so special and different from other islands in Florida! I hope it all works out!”
Grant Smith wrote: “We love the service and the Monkey Bus family. We hope you can reach an agreement with a company that will allow you to resume this outstanding service.”
Lori Michelle wrote: “Monkey Bus put my mind at ease when my kids would go out. They had a safe ride home. Thank you!”
Dena Johnston wrote: “You do a fabulous job and service to our community. As a local, we will continue to support you.”
Bonita Norris wrote: “We used Monkey Bus several times two weeks ago and it was such a treat! Great service, on time and great music! Hoping you all can work through this bump in the road and get back to cruising up and down AMI.”
The Monkey Bus announcement was shared on the Island Ratz Unite Facebook page and generated several more comments there.
Slicker’s Eatery owner Bob Slicker wrote: “Please let us know if/how we can help!”
Tera Gunter Lemus wrote: “You are keeping our community safer by keeping drunks off the roads. This is so sad.”
Shelly Crouse wrote: “Insurance in Florida is out of control in every aspect.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Monkey Bus.
