A new public rideshare service is being piloted in Macon, and Mercer University students and community members can try it out for free until Oct. 31. The Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority launched the test phase of its Rapid Transit program in July, and since then, it has been driving volunteer passengers across town in four brightly-colored, electric vans.
Currently, the transportation zone includes downtown Macon, the Mercer campus, Gray Highway and Ingleside Avenue. Click here to the see full service area for the pilot zone. Plans are in the works to add a second zone in the future, said Mark Strozier, transit planner for the Authority.
To participate in the free pilot program, riders must fill out an online form. From there, they’ll be able to request trips through the Rides on Demand app. Rides can be requested up to five days in advance or in the moment. The service is available Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight, with the last pickups at 11:30 p.m.
Rapid Transit is a form of “micro-transit,” on-demand public service transportation, that agencies across the nation have been implementing, Strozier said. Since it’s a rideshare program, the vans transport multiple passengers at a time.
Starting Nov. 1, rides will cost a flat rate of $5 until 6 p.m. and $8 the rest of the night.
“We want to make it affordable,” Strozier said. “Once we go countywide, that fee will be the same. You’ll be able to go anywhere in the county for $5 or $8.”
Strozier said Rapid Transit is a safe ride home for Mercer students. The Macon campus has three pickup/dropoff locations: in Greek Village, by the Mercer University Drive bridge, and at the corner of Coleman Avenue and College Street.
Pilot program participants are encouraged to share their thoughts on their experience by filling out surveys that may be emailed to them or contacting Strozier at mstrozier@mta-mac.com.
“We want their feedback if they’re going to be part of the pilot, how can we make it better, how can we make it more comfortable,” he said. “We’ve had really good response. We’re growing week after week. Last week, we handled roughly 165 trips and that’s just within zone one. What we consider a successful program is that at this time next year we’ve had 20,000 rides.”
