June 24, 2024 (GASTONIA, NC) — Transit riders in Gastonia will soon experience a new way to travel when the City’s new rideshare service hits the road on July 1. The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the FUSE Transfer Station located at 715 W. Airline Avenue when the City will launch its new ridesharing service. GoGastonia, the new on-demand microtransit service, will be available on Monday, July 1 starting at 5:30 a.m.
“We saw a need to provide on-demand microtransit transportation to our residents as our city continues to grow,” said Mayor Richard Franks. “This move away from fixed-route buses will improve efficiency and will increase accessibility for everyone in our community.”
The City’s Transportation Department estimates that riders take approximately 144,000 trips on its buses annually and the new model will better serve current riders and others seeking to use public transportation. The new on-demand microtransit service will replace six fixed-routes operated with city buses, and is designed to expand transit coverage to more of the city. The amended service delivery will not displace the ADA transportation services (para-transit) provided by the City.
“Via is excited to work with the City of Gastonia to bring increased transit coverage and frequency to more people than ever before through Via’s flexible, on-demand technology and operational expertise. GoGastonia will not only provide a more efficient transit experience, but it will also help citizens easily connect with all the opportunities the city has to offer – whether that's work, school, healthcare, or leisure,” said Jake Bortz, East Coast Partnerships Lead at Via.
The new service features a fleet of 14 minivans (four of the vans are wheelchair accessible) wrapped in bright colors highlighting the GoGastonia logo and branding. During the launch, the service and branding is being featured in social media posts, at community events, on billboards, and on the city’s website.
On-demand microtransit provides a similar convenience to private rideshare services, allowing riders to book and pay for on-demand rides online or by phone – for the same cost as public transit.
Intelligent algorithms match others headed in the same direction into one shared vehicle. Riders are directed to a “virtual bus stop” near their pickup and drop-off location, which minimizes detours and keeps the trip efficient for everyone. Riders who indicate a mobility impairment will be picked up at their exact location.
This flexible model allows riders to take spontaneous trips and can reach more areas than fixed-route bus transit, which operates on specific routes.
What You Need to Know About GoGastonia Rideshare Service
For more details information about GoGastonia, visit: https://city.ridewithvia.com/gastonia.
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About the City of Gastonia
Gastonia, N.C., just minutes west of Charlotte, is one of the area’s best places to live and work with an ideal combination of location, size and livability. Gastonia is the largest of Gaston County’s 13 municipalities and one of the largest cities in the Charlotte metropolitan area. Selected as an All-America City three times, Gastonia’s desirable quality of life is the result of its beautiful natural surroundings, friendly neighborhoods, responsive government and vibrant business environment.
About Via
Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the TransitTech category by using new technologies to develop public mobility systems — optimizing networks of buses, shuttles, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, school buses, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles around the globe. Building the world's most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all passengers — including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and unbanked populations — Via works with its partners to lower the costs of public transit while providing transportation options that rival the convenience of a personal car while reducing environmental impact. At the intersection of transportation and technology, Via is a visionary market leader that combines software innovation with sophisticated service design and operational expertise to fundamentally improve the way the world moves, providing technology in 700 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.