Via Launches First Service in Salt Lake with Utah Transit Authority
UTA On-Demand provides access to on-demand shared rides in Salt Lake County
November 23, 2019 (SALT LAKE CITY)– Via, the leader in public mobility, announces the launch of its first service in Utah in partnership with Utah Transit Authority (UTA). UTA On-Demand, by Via, is a smart, shared transportation solution that will operate in southern Salt Lake County, and serve as a complement to existing public transit infrastructure.
The introduction of UTA On-Demand presents an opportunity for UTA and Via to extend access to affordable, convenient, and efficient public transportation to suburban areas of Salt Lake City including Bluffdale, Draper, Herriman, Riverton and South Jordan. The project will run for one year and is intended to further enhance connectivity to TRAX and FrontRunner lines, as well as to key business districts and important destinations in the community.
“Via’s technology is redefining mobility across the globe, and we are thrilled to partner with UTA to provide Salt Lake County residents with a convenient, affordable, and congestion-reducing dynamic transportation alternative,” said Daniel Ramot, CEO and co-founder of Via. “UTA On-Demand shows how public transportation and technology can work together to make a city smarter, and is a great example of an innovative agency embracing the future of mobility.”
“UTA is excited to study this innovative service that can provide convenient, customized transit in this area of Salt Lake County and possibly in other communities. Our goals are to find ways to provide first and last-mile connections to our regular bus and rail system, as well as increase access within communities” said UTA Board Chair Carlton Christensen. “We encourage residents in this area to try UTA On Demand by Via and to give us their feedback on how microtransit can improve and change your transportation habits.”
Using the Via app, riders will be able to hail a shuttle directly from their smartphone. Riders without a smartphone will be able to book by telephone. Via’s advanced algorithms will enable multiple riders to seamlessly share the vehicle. The powerful technology will direct passengers to a nearby virtual bus stop, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or inconvenient fixed routes and schedules.
The service will be available Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, and will include wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Until the end of the year, all rides cost $1.00. After that, the flat fare will be $2.50 per ride. Seniors and reduced fare riders have a 50% discount on all rides. Riders can pay using the Via app or show their UTA fare, like a UTA GoRide ticket, pass, or transfer when they board.
Via has been tapped by cities and transportation players around the world to help re-engineer public transit from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic network. Via now has more than 90 launched and pending deployments in nearly 20 countries, including recent partnerships with LA Metro in Los Angeles, King County Metro and Sound Transit in Seattle, and Cap Metro in Austin. The company has provided more than 70 million rides to date.
About Via:Via is re-engineering public transit, from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic network. Via’s mobile app connects multiple passengers who are headed the same way, allowing riders to seamlessly share a premium vehicle. First launched in New York City in September 2013, the Via platform operates in the United States and in Europe through its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Vans, ViaVan. Via’s technology is also deployed worldwide through more than 90 partner projects with public transportation agencies, private transit operators, taxi fleets, private companies, and universities, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to power cutting-edge on-demand mobility. For more information, visit www.platform.ridewithvia.com