We spoke to some riders of our US-based services to get a sense of what on-demand transportation means to them. From small-town North Carolina to big-city Texas, our Rider Profiles present microtransit in the eyes of those who depend on it most. Click here to explore more.
It’s been said everything’s bigger in Texas, but whoever came up with that catchphrase was not talking about the number of public transportation options in Arlington — that is, until a few years ago. In 2017, the city of Arlington launched a partnership with Via to replace its single-route bus service. The new on-demand option expanded public transportation coverage to previously unconnected areas of the city, giving Arlington residents access to more of their community. Riders use a mobile app to instantly book a seat in a shared vehicle with others going the same way, while Via’s routing technology minimizes detours and delays. “It’s awesome to know I don’t need a car right now and still have [transportation] at a low cost.” Vincent — a disabled veteran and former Marine who now works as a day trader — was familiar with on-demand transportation services before he started using Via. In fact, he was about to hail a ride with one when a friend stopped him and asked if he knew about Arlington’s Via service. Now, Via has become Vincent’s main mode of transportation. “It’s a cost-effective way of getting around town,” he said.
Via has been especially helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vincent added. His car lease ended, and he didn't want to get a new car because of pandemic-related economic uncertainties. “It’s awesome to know I don’t need a car right now and still have [transportation] at a low cost,” he said. Vincent’s use of Via shows adding a reliable and affordable microtransit option in a city also drives ridership for existing fixed route transit. “I can even get to Dallas and Fort Worth on the train by taking a Via to the CentrePort TRE train station,” he noted. In January 2021, the on-demand transit service expanded to cover all of Arlington. Now residents without cars, like Vincent, can stay connected to everything their city has to offer.
