Cities beta test their own rideshare services

The Future. On-demand public transportation (aka microtransit) is rerouting how cities across America offer public transit and reaching a new batch of riders. If microtransit takes off, rideshare services may be fighting for customers in the same way they took on taxi companies years ago.

Uber as a utility
According to Fast Company, cities are looking for a lane to disrupt their public transit.

• Population centers such as cities, suburbs, and even rural towns are testing on-demand public transportation.
• Like a public version of Uber or Lyft, people can request a ride via an app or by phone and have a vehicle pick them up curbside or at a nearby destination for a small fare (often with other passengers).
• The vehicles either take them directly to their destination or to a larger transit hub where they can pick up a bus or light rail and continue their commute.

Cities as varied as Austin, Texas; Wilson, North Carolina; and Valdosta, Georgia, have all implemented microtransit. So far, those services have increased ridership exponentially for just a little more than they were spending on traditional public transportation.