Over the last 12 months, public transportation agencies across the U.S. have approached Uber about working together to address some of their longstanding challenges. We believe this growing interest comes out of a broad strategic alignment between the goals of Uber and the goals of public transportation operators. We share the same high-level objectives: building alternatives to congested roadways; providing service to those who cannot or choose not to own their own private car; reducing emissions generated by single occupancy vehicles; making transportation more affordable and accessible for all; and bringing service to traditionally under served people and neighborhoods.
A recent report from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) highlighted Uber’s complementary relationship with public transit. For example, Uber reaches peak demand late at night and over the weekend while transit is often the best option during weekday commuting hours. The report also concluded that a combination of Uber and transit makes it much easier for people to give up their cars than either one could on its own. Additionally, riders have been using Uber as a way of extending public transit to reach their final destination — helping to solve the so-called ‘first mile/last mile’ problem. To build on these organic uses by riders, we’re partnering directly with transit agencies and working to advance our shared objectives.
In February of 2016, the Pinellas Suncoast Authority in Florida became the first public transit agency to partner directly with a ridesharing company. As part of our partnership, riders pay $3 to take trips to or from select transit stations — with the agency picking up the rest of the fare — making the first and last mile trips affordable to riders. Uber’s technology allows the agency to target specific geographic areas making it possible for the agency to choose where they would like to provide service. This benefit allows for easy and transparent targeting of any investment from transit agencies in ride provision.
Uber is also building partnerships with public agencies to provide rides to senior citizens who are no longer able to drive. One of these pilot programs is our initiative in Fulton County, Georgia, where we are working with transit to provide free rides for seniors to and from senior centers. To accommodate all levels of technology users, riders have the option of calling in by phone and being paired with an Uber by a dispatcher. Reviews from riders have been enthusiastic and plans were recently announced to scale-up the program.
We have come to appreciate that there is no single approach that will work across every market and with every agency. Our experience to date has shown that there are different models that will help Uber and public transit achieve their goals in different circumstances. Luckily, Uber is managed by a series of local teams who are as dedicated to the success of their city as transit operators have always been. We look forward to continuing our work and innovating together to build the transportation system of the 21st century.
Andrew Salzberg, Global Mobility Policy Lead, Uber, San Francisco, Calif.
