The Lane Transit District (LTD) has launched EmGo, a new downtown mobility-on-demand service in partnership with the city of Eugene, Ore., Lane County, Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) and RideZero.
The EmGo is a five passenger, all-electric powered vehicle that picks up and delivers riders from one of more than 70 pick-up locations scattered throughout downtown Eugene from Charnelton Street to High Street and from 5th to 13th Streets. There is an additional stop in the courthouse district.
EmGo is free for users and will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Riders can schedule EmGo by using a mobile app. One of five EmGo vehicles will pick the rider up at the closest downtown EmGo stop and will deliver them to any of the more than 70 downtown locations. The app can be downloaded by searching for Transloc or go to LTD.org/EmGo for an app link.
The partners’ goal for EmGo is to help ease parking and traffic congestion to improve livability and workability in downtown while also supporting local businesses throughout the immediate area.
“We’re excited about EmGo and how it could transform how we get to work, stores and restaurants in downtown,” said Jon Ruiz, Eugene city manager. “More electric vehicles on the road helps cut carbon emissions and gets us closer to our Climate Recovery Ordinance goals. EmGo also helps us further our downtown parking and mobility strategy to address parking and transportation needs in and around the downtown core.”
Built by Polaris, the EmGo is powered by a 48V AC battery. EmGo can travel nearly 70 miles before needing a battery recharge. With a GVWR of 3,000 pounds, the EmGo’s top speed is 25 mph. At approximately $40,000 each, the four EmGo electric vehicles were purchased with Statewide Transportation Improvements Funds (STIF) from the state of Oregon. One EmGo vehicle is set-up for riders who use mobility devices, and a fifth vehicle is owned by RideZero, a local service provider that will operate the service.
In addition to STIF money from the state of Oregon, the city of Eugene, Lane County and the LCOG have each invested additional financial resources to partner with LTD to offer the free EmGo pilot service for one year.
“LTD is pleased to partner with the city of Eugene, Lane County, Lane Council of Governments and RideZero to offer another way to reduce our community’s carbon footprint, while providing convenient downtown transportation,” said Aurora Jackson, LTD's general manager. “The partners will evaluate the EmGo pilot program in the summer of 2020 to determine its viability as a permanent downtown Eugene mobility option.”
