Birmingham On-Demand
Birmingham On-Demand, also called MAX On-Demand, and formerly called Birmingham Direct, is a corner-to-corner shared vanpool microtransit service operated by Via Transportation 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 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 initially used distinctively-marked 6-passenger Mercedes Metris vans, some of which were 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 original service area stretched 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, was not budgeted. In October 2022 the Mayor's office announced the eastward expansion of Birmingham On-Demand service to 19 neighborhoods in the Airport Hills, East Lake, East Pinson Valley, Huffman, Roebuck-South East Lake and Woodlawn communities.
In November 2022 the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority contracted with River North Transit for a companion on-demand services, effectively extending service hours to 11:00 PM, with service to popular entertainment districts in mind. The partnership resulted in a rebranding of the service in March 2023, complete with the launch of a new smart device app and the inclusion of a prominent "X" shape on re-wrapped vehicles.
In May 2024 the service was expanded to include the Kingston, Inglenook and Woodllawn neighborhoods, partly taking the place of the former MAX Transit Route 20.
Criticism
A report conducted in 2024 by the Amalgamated Transit Union argued that such microtransit services have failed to fulfill their promise, and have instead led to the loss of fixed route public transit services and the termination of public employees, replacing them with low-paid gig workers at a higher cost per rider, and without the traffic volume and emissions benefits. Others have countered that the services can make transit services more flexible, and can introduce new riders to public transportation. They also argue that critics' cost comparisons don't account for hidden subsidies.
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
- Byington, Pat (November 14, 2019) "Here’s what you need to know about Birmingham’s new $1.50 corner-to-corner microtransit ride service in a Mercedes van." Bham Now
- 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
- Byington, Pat (October 28, 2022) "Birmingham On Demand rideshare program is expanding into 19 eastern neighborhoods." Bham Now
- Michaels, Ryan (March 7, 2023) "Birmingham, MAX Transit To Launch New App That Promises Efficient Ride Options." The Birmingham Times
- Nanni, Chris (March 19, 2023) "Good-bye to empty MAX buses and hello to Birmingham On-Demand." Comeback Town / AL.com
- "The False Benefit of Microtransit" (2024) Amalgamated Transit Union
- Schank, Joshua & Emma Huang (February 1, 2024) "Transit Desperately Needs Innovation. Why Pick on Microtransit?" Bloomberg
- "Max Transit, Birmingham on-demand Launch Expanded Microtransit Service." (May 28, 2024) Maxtransit.org
External links
- Birmingham On-Demand at birminghamal.gov
- MAX On Demand at maxtransit.org
- Birmingham at ridewithvia.com