April 19, 2023 (RICHMOND, CA) — The City of Richmond’s successful on-demand public transit service, Richmond Moves, will provide free rides on Friday, April 21 in recognition of Earth Month. The promotion will be automatically applied upon booking a ride.
Richmond Moves was launched in April 2022 with the goal of using innovative technology to fill access gaps in Richmond’s transportation ecosystem, which has historically lacked intra-city transit options and been long challenged by heavily polluted air. In just a year, Richmond Moves has served over 12,000 rides to help easily access opportunities and transit hubs in the region.
Richmond Moves allows anyone to book an on-demand electric vehicle ride from an app or by calling a phone number. The service uses advanced software from Via, the global leader in TransitTech, to match riders headed in the same direction into one electric vehicle, creating quick and efficient shared trips that provide more flexibility than traditional mass transit options.
New data validates Richmond Moves is making a positive environmental impact on the city – it is estimated to reduce emissions by more than 78%, and nearly 50% of rides replace trips previously served by single-occupancy vehicles. The popularity of Richmond Moves has continued to grow month over month, with March 2023 hitting an all-time high with nearly 2,600 rides served.
"I am thrilled to see the success of Richmond Moves and the positive impact it has had on our community,” said Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez. “This innovative on-demand public transit service has not only provided much-needed transportation options for our residents, but it has also helped increase transportation equity, improve air quality, and create jobs in our city. I look forward to seeing its growth in users and fleet size."
How to ride with Richmond Moves:
- Create an account. Download the Richmond Moves app from the App Store or Google Play store and follow the simple signup steps.
- Book a ride. Enter your pickup and dropoff addresses and choose the ride option that works for you.
- Meet your driver. Check the app to find out exactly where to meet the vehicle, which may be a short walk from the address you gave us.
- To book by phone, please call 510-937-3657.
Service details:
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Fares: $2 per trip, or free for students and seniors.
- Pay with a credit or debit card through the app or by phone, or through purchasing ride credit vouchers from Richmond City Hall.
- Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available.
Richmond Moves is made possible through sustainability-focused California state funding. The program was awarded to the City of Richmond Transportation Department through the Clean Mobility Options (CMO) Voucher Pilot Program, which is part of the California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative putting billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities. CMO is administered by CALSTART, Shared-Use Mobility Center and Local Government Commission.
Visit https://city.ridewithvia.com/richmond-moves to learn more.
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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 riders — 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 the 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 600 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.
About City of Richmond
The City of Richmond is committed to implementing clean transportation strategies and increasing transportation equity in Richmond’s SB 535 designated Disadvantaged Communities. The Richmond Transportation Department is primarily responsible for implementing programs that align with the Council adopted First Mile Last Mile Strategic plan, the Climate Action Plan as well as other State and regional plans and policies to enhance Richmond’s transportation network and to improve the environment through the reduction of local greenhouse gas emissions. For more information regarding transportation services call (510) 621-1718 or email Denee Evans at denee.evans@ci.richmond.ca.us.
About Clean Mobility Options
CMO is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health, particularly in disadvantaged communities. In this case, the funding provides zero-emission shared mobility options to under-resourced communities in California. CMO funding is available throughout California to eligible disadvantaged communities, as well as eligible tribal governments and affordable housing in low-income communities, to increase access to safe, reliable, convenient and affordable transportation options. For eligibility requirements, application information and to contact the technical assistance team, visit: www.cleanmobilityoptions.org.