Microtransit updates from TriMet, SFMTA, LADOT

TriMet in Portland, Ore., the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) in San Francisco and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) have made updates to their microtransit services. 

TriMet launches TriMet NEXT pilot 

TriMet has launched a pilot program for its newest microtransit service, TriMet NEXT, which will help seniors and people with disabilities in the South Gresham and Powell Valley neighborhoods have access to public transit.  

The agency notes the service can also be used to connect with TriMet fixed-route services at transit centers and hubs, providing access to an additional 79 bus lines, five MAX lines and WES commuter rail. 

“TriMet NEXT is about convenience, connectivity and independence,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “It’s also about freedom; the freedom to connect with your community on your schedule, with a trusted transportation provider that’s known for safe, affordable transit service.” 

TriMet NEXT will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week, including on holidays. Riders can book rides through the TriMet NEXT online, over the phone or in the app, which is available in the Apple App or Google Play stores.  

“I applaud TriMet’s courage for looking at ways that we can solve challenges folks face in our communities,” said Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall. “There’s something called the last mile, and it’s often a challenge for people, connecting that last mile of transportation with our homes and business, and this is a solution that helps in that access.” 

TriMet notes the fare for TriMet NEXT is the same as its fixed-route services and that riders will never be charged more than $2.80 to ride 2.5 hours with adult fare and $1.40 for honored citizen fare, which is available to adults over 65 and those with disabilities who have signed up for the reduced fare. To pay for fares, TriMet NEXT uses Hop Fastpass®, an electronic fare system that allows riders to pay for their fare with a physical Hop card, virtual Hop card or a contactless debit or credit card. 

According to the agency, TriMet NEXT buses are smaller, accessible paratransit buses that have space for up to six people and multiple mobility devices. TriMet first rolled out TriMet NEXT in April to its LIFT paratransit riders, who have access to a larger service area. The agency says that in the first month, riders gave the service a 100 percent satisfaction rating. In mid-May, TriMet opened the service in south Gresham to riders who are 65 and older or have a disability and are not currently registered for LIFT. 

TriMet says TriMet NEXT makes same-day transit service available to some of the most vulnerable riders for the first time. According to the agency, LIFT paratransit trips must be booked at least a day in advance, but TriMet NEXT provides the freedom to get around the community on their schedule.  

“This is the end of my dream; we have same-day service now, and it’s not just that the service is accessible, it’s also equitable,” said TriMet Committee on Accessible Transportation Chair Jan Campbell. 

The agency notes it will be making adjustments to improve the service throughout the pilot project based on public feedback. If the program’s success continues, the agency will be looking for additional areas to roll out the service. 

SFMTA expands Bayview Shuttle hours and service zones  

The SFMTA has expanded the shuttle hours and service zones for its Bayview Shuttle. According to the agency, since the service launched in November 2024, it has provided more than 20,000 rides. Based on community feedback, the agency has not only expanded the shuttle hours and service zones, but it launched a public dashboard that tracks completed trips, popular destinations and more.  

The Bayview Shuttle is an on-demand service that picks up riders within 20 minutes of their request. All trips cost the same as a Muni fare. Riders can book a trip through a mobile app or by phone. Fare payments can be made using the same methods accepted by Muni (ClipperCard, MuniMobile or eligible fare or transit passes). The shuttle connects riders to destinations anywhere within the Bayview/Hunter’s Point neighborhoods and to key city transit hubs throughout San Francisco.  

The expanded hours for the Bayview Shuttle are:    

• 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays   
• 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends    

With the expansion of the larger zones, riders can now request rides to and from locations between Islais Creek and Cesar Chavez Street.  

For rides booked from the core service area within the Bayview community, the shuttle will pick up riders at virtual bus stops that are within a block of the rider’s origin or destination. 

According to the agency, the expansion follows an increase in growth. Since its launch, the shuttle has: 

• Provided rides to over 1,100 unique users.  
• Responded to bookings on average within 12 minutes of the request time.  
• Maintained an average 4.9/5.0 rider satisfaction rating across all months.  

According to early feedback from a community survey: 

• Around two-thirds of rides occur within the Bayview-Hunter's Point community compared to one-third of trips to or from external access points.  
• Around 60 percent of survey respondents used the shuttle to connect to or from public transit.  
• Nearly 50 percent of respondents used the shuttle to get to or from work.    

The agency says during all hours of operation, the service offers spacious standard vehicles and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Riders can request the vehicles over the phone or by customizing their user profile in the app.  

Riders can also receive language help through the app or Bayview Shuttle Customer Care line. Agents are able to answer questions in English, Spanish, Cantonese and Filipino. 

The public dashboards are available on SFMTA’s website. 

LADOT launches new service area for LAnow on-demand rideshare program 

LADOT has launched a new service area for its LAnow on-demand rideshare program in South Los Angeles. The new LAnow South LA service will operate within the area bordered by Figueroa St., Slauson Avenue, Long Beach Avenue and Washington Boulevard. The new South LA zone will be served by a fully electric fleet of shuttle vans.  

“This expansion will provide more Angelenos with reliable and affordable, all-electric on-demand local shared ride services,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “With this launch, riders in the area will get one year free of service. This is another step forward in our ongoing commitment to making long-term, sustainable and climate-conscious investments in our city.”  

LADOT General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo added, “This new service demonstrates our commitment to providing sustainable transit services that support the needs of communities. LAnow’s weekday service uses flexible routes and affordable pricing to connect residents to services allowing riders to access jobs, amenities and recreation opportunities in the community.” 

According to LADOT, the South LA service area includes key neighborhood amenities such as LA Trade-Technical College, USC, Expo Park, the South LA Wetlands, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s A and E lines, five neighborhood DASH routes and multiple schools and libraries. The service will operate Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. (excluding holidays). South LA is the second area to utilize the LADOT transit’s on-demand shared ride transportation services. The LAnow concept was originally demonstrated on the Westside serving Palms, Mar Vista, Venice and Del Rey.  

Trips on LAnow South LA must be reserved in advance. Trips are booked on an application available through the App Store or Google Play. Once a trip is reserved, the rider meets the shuttle at a scheduled LAnow South LA pick-up/drop-off point. LADOT notes that within the service area, pick up/drop-off points are never more than a few blocks away.   

LADOT received a sustainable transportation equity project grant from the California Air Resources Board to work within low-income and disadvantaged communities to increase transportation equity using clean transportation services. The grant not only supports the expansion of LAnow into South Los Angeles with clean energy vans, but it enables LADOT to offer free fares on LAnow in the South LA service area through June 30, 2026.