Post-Coronavirus Collaboration Opportunities Between Rideshare and Public Transit
The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically impacted rideshare services and public transportation usage. As cities reopen, innovative partnerships between rideshare companies and public transit agencies could provide crucial mobility solutions. This article explores potential collaboration models, economic benefits, and emerging technologies that could enhance transportation integration.
Impacts of the Pandemic on Rideshare and Transit
COVID-19 inflicted major damage to transportation models:
- Public transit suffered enormous ridership losses up to 90%
- Rideshare demand fell as people avoided shared trips
- Social distancing reduced carrying capacities making operations inefficient
- Financial impacts jeopardize future service levels
Yet mobility remains vital as the economy reopens. Fresh thinking and partnerships could drive innovation.
Potential Benefits of Collaboration
Joint initiatives between rideshare and public transit can:
- Restore affordable transportation options as restrictions ease
- Leverage strengths of each model through integration
- Improve user experiences with seamless journeys
- Drive efficiency by filling gaps and reducing redundancies
- Attract demand through wider service reach and flexibility
- Aid sustainability and emissions reductions goals
The whole can be greater than the sum of parts when public and private transportation services effectively combine forces.
Rideshare as First/Last Mile Connector
Rideshare can fill a crucial role carrying riders to and from transit hubs:
- Alleviate accessibility challenges getting to stations
- Provide reliable connections in areas with limited transit stops
- Reduce need for parking facilities near stations
- Lower wait times and total trip duration
Uber and Lyft already partner with some transit agencies on discounted first/last mile rides. Significant potential remains post-pandemic.
Shared Mobility Passes and Payment Integration
Systems allowing usage and payment across multiple modes creates a seamless experience:
- Unified digital wallets to manage transit, rideshare, bike share, etc.
- Subscription passes covering integrated mobility packages
- Integrated ticketing across transportation providers
- Common user profiles, trip planning, discounts and incentives
Simpler payments and ticketing enables flexible multi-modal journeys.
Paratransit and Accessibility Partnerships
On-demand rideshare offers cost advantages over traditional paratransit:
- Lowers operational costs leveraging existing rideshare fleets
- Provides accessible private rides without rigid scheduling
- Enables scaling to demand surges affordably
Partnerships expand access and availability of rides those with disabilities rely upon.
Micromobility and Multimodal Transit Hubs
Central hubs combining bus, rail, rideshare, bikeshare, scooter share, and other services:
- Provides diverse “mobility as a service” options
- Reduces single occupant car trips along busy corridors
- Facilitates efficient intermodal transfers
- Can incorporate electric charging infrastructure
Well-designed centralized hubs allow seamless transitions between sustainable transportation modes.
Emerging Technologies to Link Transportation Networks
New technologies enable deeper integration:
- Integrated dashboards and control centers to manage multi-modal systems
- MaaS (mobility as a service) apps tying together booking, routing and payment
- Predictive analytics to intelligently position assets and plan capacity
- Autonomous vehicles combined with mass transit in the long term
Sophisticated software creates a unified transportation experience combining public and private elements.
The pandemic has damaged transportation networks, but could accelerate innovation as partners collaborate to rebuild smarter multi-modal systems. The need for affordable mobility with social distancing makes this a pivotal moment to enhance public transit through technology and partnerships.
