The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) has partnered with Via on a year-long pilot program that will explore how dynamic, on-demand transportation technology can solve a range of mobility challenges.
The project allows customers to hail shared rides to or from Metro's Artesia, El Monte and North Hollywood stations. The rides can be summoned using Via's app or, for non-smartphone users, by placing a call to Via, where customers will be directed to a nearby intersection where rides can be met. Each ride begins or ends at one of the three stations within a defined service area around each station.
“This innovative pilot program will give riders another glimpse into LA’s comprehensive future transportation system. Many Metro users face a challenge getting from home to station and vice versa,” said L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Sheila Kuehl. “They need a quick, easy and inexpensive door-to-door solution and this new pilot is one to consider.”
LA Metro explains that a goal of the partnership is to extend the benefits of on-demand services to a wider audience and to make it easier for riders to connect with a growing Metro system. Riders who are registered with Metro’s low-income fare program, LIFE, can ride for free. Riders who input TAP cards during account creation will ride for $1.75 and riders without TAP cards can ride for $3.75.
LA Metro says it is subsidizing the cost of each ride, which will make the service more affordable than typical ride-hailing services. The pilot is funded in part by a $1.35-million grant from the Federal Transit Administration for its Mobility on Demand Sandbox Demonstration program.
Via’s service will also be fully wheelchair accessible, with special vehicles able to easily accommodate those who are non-ambulatory, allowing many to finally use an on-demand, ride-hailing service.
“Via’s technology is redefining mobility across the globe and we are thrilled to partner with LA Metro, an innovation-forward agency, to provide residents with a convenient and affordable transportation alternative,” said Daniel Ramot, CEO and co-founder of Via. “Via’s powerful passenger matching, and vehicle routing algorithm is the solution to solving the first/last mile challenge and seamlessly connects customers with these three transit hubs in their communities.”
LA Metro notes that shared rides are a key distinction from other ride-hailing services and are in line with the transit authority's Vision 2028 Strategic Plan to reduce single-occupancy car trips. This partnership with Via will also provide LA Metro with data on how riders use the service, which will help LA Metro measure the success of this partnership and help inform future innovations at the transit authority.
"Our goal at Metro, as part of our Vision 2028 Strategic Plan, is to provide high-quality mobility options for all riders, regardless of socioeconomic status or disability," said LA Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. "This is an exciting partnership and we believe this service will offer a truly innovative, affordable and accessible service to L.A. County to better serve Metro riders' first/last-mile needs."
