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.