|
TO: |
Board of Trustees |
|
THROUGH: |
Jay Fox, Executive Director |
|
FROM: |
Nichol Bourdeaux, Chief Planning and Engagement Officer |
|
PRESENTER(S): |
Jaron Robertson, Director Innovative Mobility Solutions |
|
|
Cindy Medford, Manager of Customer Service |
TITLE:
title
Transportation Network Company Partnerships with Lyft and Uber
end
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
Informational report for discussion
BACKGROUND:
For several years UTA has been researching new and emerging transportation services and technologies which can provide greater opportunities to improve transit operations and the customer experience by providing a high-quality, convenient, and immediate transit solutions. Such solutions can support UTA and customers in places which are harder to serve with traditional transit services, provide connections to transit service, supplement traditional transit services, or provide alternative transportation solutions for customers when an unplanned service interruption occurs. Transportation Network Company’s or TNC’s, also known as ride hailing companies, provide on-demand transportation services for passengers. Passengers request rides directly from private drivers under contract with a TNC, usually through the use of a smartphone app. Lyft and Uber are the most prominent TNC’s, but other examples include Via with whom UTA has already partnered to provide microtransit services.
There are several use cases in which UTA may partner with a TNC to support the agencies Five-Year Service Plan and other strategic goals and objectives. Examples include:
• Alternative Transit Solutions for Delayed or Stranded Customers
• Alternatives to Traditional Paratransit Services
• eVoucher Programs
• UTA Employee Transportation Services
• Overflow / Surge Capacity
• First Mile and Last Mile Connections to Transit Services
• Late Night and Weekend Services
• Community Services in Rural Areas, Low Density Neighborhoods, or Transit Deserts
DISCUSSION:
As part of the 2022 initiatives and adopted budget, the Innovative Mobility Solutions team has developed a public/private partnership with both Lyft and Uber to pilot and test alternative transportation solutions. Phase one of this pilot will focus on “UTA Reconnect” which will allow UTA’s Customer Service team to provide customers with a voucher or on-demand trip in unplanned circumstances when a customer has become delayed or stranded in the system. Examples include:
• Service delays
• Bus pass-by
• Vehicle breakdown
• On Demand unavailable seats
• Unplanned detours
• Incidents or accidents
• Weather disruptions
During the presentation UTA staff will provide an overview of TNC’s, the phase one pilot, costs, budget impacts, and future pilot programs.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost of the one-year pilot program is $80,000. This program is included in the approved Innovative Mobility Services budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
None