rabbittransit announced the launch of its Microtransit pilot project, The Hopper, effective Monday, August 27. The pilot will bring on-demand transit to the areas of East York and Red Lion, enabling residents to hail rides on smaller, neighborhood friendly-sized public transit buses. Riders can travel within designated zones and also make connections to the fixed route system. rabbittransit’s new service will leverage app-based technology created by TransLoc.
The innovative program allows customers to request rides after downloading the Microtransit app using a smartphone. Riders will also be able to call for a ride request by contacting 1-800-632-9063. Reservations must be made on the same day, at least an hour in advance.
Following a ride request, the app provides passengers with an estimated pick-up time and when the rider is the next passenger in the queue. Passengers are picked up in nine-person accessible vans and taken where they want to go within a designated zoned area including connections to the fixed route. The app also alerts passengers when their ride is about to reach their desired destination.
- Red Lion / Windsor Commons Hopper: Available from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. in Red Lion, riders can travel anywhere within the designated zone for Red Lion/Windsor Commons.
- York Mall/East York Hopper: Available from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. in East York, riders can travel anywhere within the designated zone for East York.
The on-demand service is available Monday through Friday and will cost $2.00 per trip as part of an introductory rate and increasing to $3.00 as the base rate following the introduction period.
“rabbittransit is excited to pilot on-demand microtransit, to appeal to a broader audience to use public transit by conveniently connecting local destinations and neighboring communities more easily,” said rabbittransit Executive Director Richard Farr.
The program will be evaluated after a six-month period to determine if the pilot is beneficial or needs modifications.
