On-demand service updates: SFMTA, Trinity Metro, Cass County, Mich.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), Trinity Metro and the City of Dowagiac in Cass County, Mich, have each made changes and updates to their on-demand service options to improve connectivity and reliability.

SFMTA

The SFMTA board of directors has approved a vendor contract with Via Transportation for the “Our Community, Our Shuttle” Bayview Shuttle Program. This will include the new shuttle which will operate in a fixed "service area" that covers any trip that starts and ends within the Bayview-Hunters Point communities. The exact shuttle service area is still in development.

The agency is partnering with Via to decide the boundaries of the service zone based on the needs of the community. SFMTA met with nine community organizations and on separate occasions, hosted 28 public events to gather feedback and gage the needs of the community.

The agency is working to help riders reach destinations that were hard to get to before by providing services that are directly recommended by the community.

Trinity Metro

On July 15, Trinity Metro's on-demand services were altered to increase access to public transportation in Tarrant County through its recently expanded contract with TransitTech company Via. Mansfield and Alliance have been added into Trinity Metro On-Demand's service areas. 

In Alliance, Trinity Metro On-Demand will replace the local ride service that was previously operated by Lyft. This will require riders to download the Trinity Metro On-Demand app to allow them to book rides within the service area.

In Mansfield, riders will now have connection options to Historic Downtown Mansfield, Mansfield Town Center, TCC Southeast Campus, Mansfield High School, Legacy High School, Mansfield Senior Lifestyles, Elmer W. Oliver Nature Park, Walmart and Kroger.

The first two months of rides are free for riders in these areas. Beginning Sept. 15, fares will be $2 one way or $4 for a day pass that includes transfers between TEXRail, Trinity Metro bus and Trinity Metro On-Demand. Because it is a ridesharing program, Trinity Metro On-Demand passengers will be matched with other riders headed in the same direction into one vehicle to create efficient, sustainable shared trips. 

Cass County

The Routing Company (TRC) has partnered with the City of Dowagiac in Cass County, Mich. to launch an on-demand transit service powered by through TRC’s Ride Pingo™ app.

The new service works to modernize phone-in requests and scheduling by incorporating TRC’s Pingo Rural™ across the City of Dowagiac.

“Our long-term focus has always been improving accessible services. With the launch of on-demand service we are making the freedom to move even easier for our residents,” said Dowagiac City Manager Kevin Anderson. “Riders can easily track the location of their ride. This app makes transportation more convenient, concise and responsive.”

Dowagiac's Dial-A-Ride Transportation (DART) operates within city limits, with additional service area to include Southwestern Michigan College and coordinates. The new addition of TRC's rural on-demand services will help to stretch connectivity to ensure community members living further out have access to transportation.

“We are thrilled to support the City of Dowagiac in its pursuit of connected, responsive and flexible transit where every rider is included,” said James Cox, CEO, TRC. “Launching on-demand service, powered by Pingo, delivers on the City of Dowagiac’s commitment to offering the safest and most convenient service possible.”