Newton’s NewMo service celebrates three years of providing efficient, equitable on-demand public transportation

Aug. 11, 2022 (Newton, MA) — The City of Newton’s successful on-demand shared public transit service, Newton in Motion, or “NewMo,” is celebrating its three-year anniversary.

Since launching in June 2019, NewMo has provided more than 62,000 on-demand rides to the Newton community. NewMo’s goal is to provide the Newton community with a flexible, affordable, and sustainable public transit option that complements MBTA service. For just $2 per trip, anyone in Newton can book a shared ride at a moment’s notice through an app or by calling a phone number. 

NewMo has seen steady growth in ridership month-over-month, and is on track to hit a ride record of more than 4,000 rides in one month by the end of June. Recent rider data has proven that NewMo is filling the gaps in transit for those who need it most, providing a critical transportation solution for many residents who use the service multiple times per week. Many of the most popular destinations include transit, medical appointments, NNHS and NSHS, job sites, grocery stores and food pantries, and places of worship. 

Recent rider quotes illustrate the impact that NewMo is bringing to the Newton community: 

• “I use it for many doctor’s appointments — I’m not driving yet and I’m a cancer patient who lives alone.” 
• “This is a great way for my teenagers to get around Newton and for my nanny to get to the train station.” 
• “NewMo is such a great addition to Newton and it enables me to use public transportation more.” 
• “My driver was thorough and consistent in helping me with my wheelchair and groceries.” 

NewMo service is powered by Via, the global leader in TransitTech. Via’s app uses intelligent algorithms to match multiple riders headed in the same direction to provide quick and efficient shared trips, without fixed schedules and routes like traditional transportation options. 

NewMo operates everywhere in Newton from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For those over 60 years old NewMo also operates from 9 a.m. to noon on the weekends, and provides door-to-door service (instead of corner-to-corner service, which often includes a short walk to a “virtual bus stop”). The first five trips are free for all new users. After that, all rides are $2, or 50 cents for those who qualify. 

How to book a ride

App booking: 

• Go to the app store on your smartphone and download the NewMo app. 
• Create your account, select your payment method, and enter requested information. 
• Tap the address bar or move the pin on the map to edit your pick-up address and confirm your location. 
• Select your destination and confirm your ride. 
• Walk to your assigned nearby pick-up location and get ready to ride! 

Phone booking: 

• Review your zone map to plan your trip and find your destination. 
• Call  617-655-8019  to request your ride. 
• Walk to your assigned nearby pick-up location and get ready to ride! 

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About Via 

Via builds innovative software to enable our customers—cities, transit agencies, transport operators, school districts, universities, and corporations—to transform their legacy transportation systems into advanced digital networks. As pioneers of the TransitTech category, Via’s mission is to expand access to efficient, affordable, and sustainable transportation. Via’s software enables organizations to digitize their existing transportation networks and launch new and innovative services, simultaneously lowering operating costs and increasing quality of service. Our software is used in over 600 communities in more than 35 countries around the world.

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