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    1. Alt. Mobility
    2. Shared Mobility

    SamTrans’ FLX Pacific service returns to Linda Mar

    April 28, 2020
    Following a year-long, on-demand rideshare pilot program, FLX Pacific will revert to its scheduled loop/on-demand service.
    Related To: San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans)
    SamTrans
    The pilot program tested an on-demand rideshare service in the Linda Mar neighborhood.
    The pilot program tested an on-demand rideshare service in the Linda Mar neighborhood.

    SamTrans’ OnDemand service is reverting to the original FLX Pacific route starting May 4, in the Linda Mar neighborhood of Pacifica, Calif.

    The last OnDemand operation will be May 1.

    In May 2019, SamTrans replaced its FLX Pacifica scheduled loop/on-demand service with a year-long on-demand ride-share pilot called SamTrans OnDemand.

    The goal of bringing rideshare to Pacifica was to improve mobility in the area and to determine whether an on-demand service, like SamTrans OnDemand, could provide a more convenient option for current riders, while also encouraging new riders to use the transit system.

    SamTrans OnDemand allowed riders to request a trip through a smartphone app or through the SamTrans Customer Service Call Center. Once a trip was requested, riders were given an estimated wait time, which was subject to vehicle availability and demand. Once a trip was booked, the software dynamically routed the shuttle to pickups, and if a smartphone was used to book the trip, riders could monitor the location of the shuttle live on a map

    The FLX Pacifica will now operate a loop that starts and ends at the Linda Mar Park & Ride approximately twice an hour. Shopping centers, parks, community centers, libraries, schools and other key destinations can be accessed riding the FLX. The service offers customers the ability to call ahead and schedule pickups within one half mile of the route a day in advance.

    FLX Pacifica map and timetable information is available online.

    While the OnDemand pilot is ending, SamTrans says it has learned some valuable lessons about how to better provide transit service in Linda Mar. The agency says this will be a valuable part of the Reimagine SamTrans effort to re-evaluate and improve service. Riders are encouraged to offer feedback online.