Small City Replaces Bus Service with Uber-Like Public Transit

The small city of Wilson, North Carolina, ended its bus service and launched an on-demand van service powered by a smartphone app, resulting in a 300% increase in public transit ridership. The service, known as RIDE, offers $2.50 trips anywhere in town and has been particularly beneficial for residents without access to a car. Wilson's transition to microtransit was driven by the need to address unemployment and lack of transportation options. The city partnered with Via, a microtransit company, to create the software for the service. Microtransit solutions like RIDE have emerged as a way to bridge the gap between urban and rural transportation needs and have gained attention from other communities seeking to implement similar programs. However, the challenge of funding remains a significant obstacle for the long-term sustainability of microtransit initiatives.