March 1, 2022 (ST. LUCIE, FL) – St. Lucie County is proud to announce the launch of the new Area Regional Transit On-Demand (ART On-Demand) public transportation service, which for the first time will allow all residents and visitors to book free on-demand rides through an app within a designated zone in Port St. Lucie.
The goal of ART On-Demand is to expand access to efficient, equitable, and flexible transportation in St. Lucie. The service’s software integration will make it easier than ever for riders to travel car-free, and the sustainable shared ride model supports the region’s long-term commitment to innovation.
ART On-Demand will be powered by Via, the global leader in TransitTech. Via’s intelligent algorithms allow riders to book an on-demand ride – allowing for quick, efficient shared trips that provide more flexibility than traditional transportation options with fixed routes and schedules. To underscore St. Lucie’s commitment to accessibility, the service will include wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Riders can book ART On-Demand rides in three easy ways:
“It’s exciting to watch our transit system continue to evolve by offering our residents convenient ways to access free public transportation,” said St. Lucie County Commission Chair Sean Mitchell. “The more we embrace public transportation, the more we reduce the amount of vehicles on the roads and help keep our carbon-footprint smaller.”
“For several years, our citizens have told us that providing more mobility options should be a top priority in the city. As a result, the City Council made this an important part of the City’s Strategic Plan,” said Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin. “I am very pleased St. Lucie County’s Area Regional Transit is helping us achieve these priorities through the launch of this On-Demand program. This program will give all residents an innovative new option for moving around the city and county.”
“We’re excited to partner with St. Lucie to power ART On-Demand, which uses software to expand access to transportation in the area,” said Dillon Twombly, Chief Revenue Officer at Via. “Tech-enabled public transit services like this one represent 21st-century transportation, and we’re excited to see how ART On-Demand will make it easier for St. Lucie’s residents and visitors to connect with jobs, healthcare, education, leisure, and more.”
ART On-Demand will operate on Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Via's software is used in more than 500 communities around the globe. Several similar services to ART On-Demand exist elsewhere in Florida, including Sarasota County, Miami-Dade County, and Palm Beach.
For more information on ART On-Demand, please visit: www.slcart.org.
ART On-Demand Service Zone:
About St. Lucie
Located in the heart of Florida’s Treasure Coast, St. Lucie County is home to more than 330,000 residents with a rich history from streaming back to the birthplace of the Navy SEALs and artistic grounds that produced painters such as A.E. “Bennie” Backus and the Florida Highwaymen. Administered by St. Lucie County’s Transit Division, ART is a fare-free, award-winning public transit system serving the cities of Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie Village and the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County. To learn more, please visit www.slcart.org or 772-462-1778.
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 500 communities in more than 35 countries around the world.