Birmingham On-Demand: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Birmingham On-Demand van rendering.png|right|thumb|450px|Rendering of a Birmingham On-Demand van]]
[[File:Birmingham On-Demand van rendering.png|right|thumb|450px|Rendering of a Birmingham On-Demand van]]
[[File:Birmingham On-Demand service area map.png|right|thumb|450px|Map of the Birmingham On-Demand service area]]
[[File:Birmingham On-Demand service area map.png|right|thumb|450px|Map of the Birmingham On-Demand service area, with the original service area in pale blue and the expanded area in darker blue]]
'''Birmingham On-Demand''', also called '''Birmingham Direct''', is a microtransit service funded by the [[Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham]] and the [[City of Birmingham]] for a trial period from December [[2019]] to May [[2020]]. Using an app or toll-free number, riders can request a pick-up and drop-off during regular operating hours and within the program's 6.7 square-mile service area for a flat $1.50 fare.
'''Birmingham On-Demand''', also called '''Birmingham Direct''', is a corner-to-corner shared vanpool service microtransit service operating in [[Birmingham]]. Using an app or toll-free number, riders can request a pick-up and drop-off during regular operating hours and within the program's 6.7 square-mile service area for a flat $1.50 fare, and half price for an additional passenger. Weekly and monthly passes are also available.


The service is operated by Via Transportation, Inc. of New York City, through its Chicago-based River North Transit subsidiary. Independently-contracted drivers can set their own schedules, but are paid by the hour. The service uses four marked 6-passenger Mercedes Metris vans, some of which are equipped for persons with disabilities.
The service is operated by Via Transportation, Inc. of New York City, through its Chicago-based River North Transit subsidiary. Independently-contracted drivers can set their own schedules, but are paid by the hour. The service uses four marked 6-passenger Mercedes Metris vans, some of which are equipped for persons with disabilities.
A 6-month trial of the service was approved by the [[Birmingham City Council]] in September [[2019]] and began operating on [[December 3]]. The Community Foundation provided $502,000 in initial funding, and the City approved $250,000 for the pilot program.


Service hours are Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 8 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM. The service area stretches from [[downtown Birmingham]], across [[Southside]] and [[Smithfield]], to [[Graymont]], [[College Hills]], [[Birmingham-Southern College]] and [[Bush Hills]], [[Rising-West Princeton]], [[East Thomas]], [[Fairview]] and the [[Birmingham CrossPlex]] and [[Marino's Market]] in [[Central Park neighborhood|Central Park]].  
Service hours are Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 8 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM. The service area stretches from [[downtown Birmingham]], across [[Southside]] and [[Smithfield]], to [[Graymont]], [[College Hills]], [[Birmingham-Southern College]] and [[Bush Hills]], [[Rising-West Princeton]], [[East Thomas]], [[Fairview]] and the [[Birmingham CrossPlex]] and [[Marino's Market]] in [[Central Park neighborhood|Central Park]].  
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Rather than picking up riders at specific addresses, vans are directed to nearby street intersections. The anticipated wait time for a requested pick-up is in the 10-15 minute range. Additional passengers booked for the same route pay half-price. $14 weekly and $54 monthly passes are also offered. Cash is not accepted. Payments are made through the app or by PayPal, prepaid card or credit card.
Rather than picking up riders at specific addresses, vans are directed to nearby street intersections. The anticipated wait time for a requested pick-up is in the 10-15 minute range. Additional passengers booked for the same route pay half-price. $14 weekly and $54 monthly passes are also offered. Cash is not accepted. Payments are made through the app or by PayPal, prepaid card or credit card.


If successful, the projected annual cost to expand the program city-wide is projected to be $5 million.
A 6-month trial of the service was approved by the [[Birmingham City Council]] in September [[2019]] and began operating on [[December 3]]. The [[Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham]] provided $502,000 in initial funding, and the City approved another $250,000 for the pilot program, which continued through May [[2020]].
 
Despite major budget cutbacks during the [[COVID pandemic]], the [[2021 Birmingham budget]] included a continuation of the program through October [[2021]]. To reduce spread of COVID, the maximum number of passengers was reduced from 6 to 3, and masks were required. The service was continued in the [[2022 Birmingham budget]], and expanded in the [[2023 Birmingham budget]] at a cost of $2.64 million per year. The enlarged service area includes [[Titusville]] and an eastern push into Southside, including the [[Birmingham Career Center]] and [[Alabama Workforce Training Center]] in [[North Lakeview]].
 
A planned expansion to city-wide service, at a projected cost of $5 million, has not been budgeted. There have been discussions between the BJCTA and River North Transit about coordinating their on-demand services.


==References==
==References==
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* Coker, Angel (October 3, 2019) "City approves Via for microtransit program." {{BBJ}}
* Coker, Angel (October 3, 2019) "City approves Via for microtransit program." {{BBJ}}
* Coker, Angel (December 3, 2019) "Via Transportation launches Birmingham On-Demand rideshare service." {{BBJ}}
* Coker, Angel (December 3, 2019) "Via Transportation launches Birmingham On-Demand rideshare service." {{BBJ}}
* Wright, Erica (September 10, 2020) "Birmingham On-Demand Transforms Transit in the Magic City." {{BT}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 09:34, 2 October 2022

Rendering of a Birmingham On-Demand van
Map of the Birmingham On-Demand service area, with the original service area in pale blue and the expanded area in darker blue

Birmingham On-Demand, also called Birmingham Direct, is a corner-to-corner shared vanpool service microtransit service operating in Birmingham. Using an app or toll-free number, riders can request a pick-up and drop-off during regular operating hours and within the program's 6.7 square-mile service area for a flat $1.50 fare, and half price for an additional passenger. Weekly and monthly passes are also available.

The service is operated by Via Transportation, Inc. of New York City, through its Chicago-based River North Transit subsidiary. Independently-contracted drivers can set their own schedules, but are paid by the hour. The service uses four marked 6-passenger Mercedes Metris vans, some of which are equipped for persons with disabilities.

Service hours are Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 8 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM. The service area stretches from downtown Birmingham, across Southside and Smithfield, to Graymont, College Hills, Birmingham-Southern College and Bush Hills, Rising-West Princeton, East Thomas, Fairview and the Birmingham CrossPlex and Marino's Market in Central Park.

Rather than picking up riders at specific addresses, vans are directed to nearby street intersections. The anticipated wait time for a requested pick-up is in the 10-15 minute range. Additional passengers booked for the same route pay half-price. $14 weekly and $54 monthly passes are also offered. Cash is not accepted. Payments are made through the app or by PayPal, prepaid card or credit card.

A 6-month trial of the service was approved by the Birmingham City Council in September 2019 and began operating on December 3. The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham provided $502,000 in initial funding, and the City approved another $250,000 for the pilot program, which continued through May 2020.

Despite major budget cutbacks during the COVID pandemic, the 2021 Birmingham budget included a continuation of the program through October 2021. To reduce spread of COVID, the maximum number of passengers was reduced from 6 to 3, and masks were required. The service was continued in the 2022 Birmingham budget, and expanded in the 2023 Birmingham budget at a cost of $2.64 million per year. The enlarged service area includes Titusville and an eastern push into Southside, including the Birmingham Career Center and Alabama Workforce Training Center in North Lakeview.

A planned expansion to city-wide service, at a projected cost of $5 million, has not been budgeted. There have been discussions between the BJCTA and River North Transit about coordinating their on-demand services.

References

  • Beahm, Anna (September 24, 2019) "Birmingham council to consider microtransit pilot program." The Birmingham News
  • Coker, Angel (October 3, 2019) "City approves Via for microtransit program." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Coker, Angel (December 3, 2019) "Via Transportation launches Birmingham On-Demand rideshare service." Birmingham Business Journal
  • Wright, Erica (September 10, 2020) "Birmingham On-Demand Transforms Transit in the Magic City." The Birmingham Times

External links

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