Birmingham On-Demand uses Mercedes Metris vans like this for its shared ride service, which launched earlier this month.
The City of Birmingham launched a new transportation pilot program earlier this month that aims to both complement and extend public transportation for certain areas of the city.
Birmingham On-Demand debuted as a six-month pilot program, using public mobility company Via to develop and operate an on-demand shared ride service that services an area encompassing the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), Legion Field, the Birmingham CrossPlex and more.
The service area currently comprises over 45 medical facilities, 10 schools, three grocery stores, eight pharmacies and 10 parks, and seeks to make all of those locations more accessible for all – increasing Birmingham residents’ ability to move quickly and easily throughout the city at a significantly lower price point.
“We believe microtransit is an innovative solution that will be a great addition to our transportation system for residents, employees and visitors,” said Lakey Boyd, deputy director of strategy and innovation for the City’s Department of Transportation. “The pilot zone selected will capture a variety of types of trips and provide incredibly valuable data about travel patterns that will assist us in our future planning efforts to improve access and connectivity across the city.”
No matter where riders are going, they’ll only pay a flat fee of $1.50, Boyd said. On top of that, it only costs an extra 75 cents to add another person to a reservation, and all money spent on the program recirculates back into the service, she said.
Users download the Via app – which resembles other ridesharing apps like Uber or Lyft and allows users to pay via credit or debit card within the app – and, if your pickup and drop-off point is within the service area, a Mercedes Metris van will pick you up within 15 minutes. The vans can accommodate up to six passengers, are wheelchair accessible and, unlike buses with scheduled routes, Birmingham On-Demand has no fixed routes and drivers go where there is a need at that time.
This consistent, more affordable means of travel takes cars off the road and reduces on-street parking, Boyd said. While it certainly can be used for those with no other means of transportation, it is also encouraged to be used by those who live and work downtown who don’t want to bother with the hassle of trying to find parking in a crowded area, much like one would use Uber or Lyft – but at a reduced cost.
“We really want everyone to use the service during our six-month pilot phase,” Boyd said. “Even if the pilot service zone does not directly serve your location currently, we encourage you to find an opportunity to take a ride for a service need, a meeting or even an event. Keep in mind that every ride taken will be a data point to help us make the case for the relevance of the service and resource allocation for its potential expansion.”
The service is in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“The City’s microtransit pilot program is a great mobility alternative that complements our public transit system,” said Nan Baldwin, vice president of regional development for the Birmingham Business Alliance. “The flexibility, affordable rates and on-demand features of the service will make getting around the central business district and areas nearby much easier and faster.”
Click here to learn more about Birmingham On-Demand and use the code VIABHM before March 20, 2020, to test the service out with two free rides.