KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo’s Metro Transit bus system will be firing up its own version of an Uber or Lyft service in about a month for a trial run, but there will be major differences from the private ride service.
For one thing, it will be a lot cheaper, for another, it won’t be available everywhere.
Portage City Council member Chris Burns, who sits on the Metro Transit board, reported to his colleagues that they picked a name at their last meeting.
Riders will call for a ride on a phone app, and for $1.50, either get taken to your destination within that district, or the nearest bus transfer point. During its pilot program, which will begin April 15th and run through Christmas, it will service three districts in southern Portage, Oshtemo, and Comstock, where bus stops are more spread out.
Metro Transit Director Sean McBride says they want to see how it interacts with the other two ride services they offer, before deciding on its long term future.
Several other communities in Michigan already have it in Muskegon and suburban Detroit, and Lansing is also planning one.
They will be contracting with a provider called VIA, during the pilot.
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