How Some Communities Have Solved the Public Transit Conundrum

Some cities are working with ride-share services to solve public transit concerns

For years, one of the biggest challenges facing Miami County is public transit. Public transit plays a critical role in allowing people to access employment, health care and other critical goods and services that allow residents to participate in civic life. Without a driver’s license and a dependable vehcile, Miami County is a challenging place to live.

Historically, too many small towns have been left out of the public transit conversation. Fixed-route services such as bus lines, and even small demand-response systems, can be prohibitively expensive for small communities to operate and sustain long-term. The City of Kyle in Texas faced similar challenges and partnered with Uber, a well known ride-sharing service. to provide a highly accessible transit option for its small but growing population.

A City on the Rise

Kyle is a fast-growing city about 20 minutes southwest of Austin, the state capital. Kyle’s population nearly doubled in the last decade, from 28,000 in 2010 to almost 52,000 in 2021. Recently, Amazon moved into Kyle Crossing Business Park and has created more than 1,130 full-time and part-time jobs. This, among other socioeconomic factors, has contributed to the city’s rapid population growth, economic development, and quickly changing landscape.

In a report, Jerry Hendrix, Kyle’s Interim City Manager, remarked, “When I arrived 16 years ago, Kyle’s population was about 20,000 and there was no traffic light. The growing town knew it needed a transportation alternative, but that change is hard.”

Kyle, like many cities and small towns on the rise in Central Texas, can be characterized as a low-density, reasonably affluent, family-oriented town, with many people owning cars. These characteristics make it difficult for local government to provide traditional public transportation services that citizens would benefit from; however, there was a need for the service to help some of the communities residents access employment opportunities.

The Uber Kyle $3.14 Initiative

Every time the City explored a new public transportation option, they found it to be overly expensive and/or limited in coverage and therefore not sustainable. After years of searching for the right partner, the City found a fit with Uber Transit. By leveraging the ride-sharing platform already available in the city, Kyle could provide an affordable choice that allows riders the freedom to travel within City limits whenever and wherever they want.

By moving away from a transportation philosophy centered on dedicated vehicles and moving toward a model that capitalizes on alternative services, the City of Kyle has learned that it can do more in public transit with less cost. The Uber Kyle $3.14 service provides subsidized transportation options to Kyle residents and visitors. According to Uber, the system costs the City the same as or less than traditional transportation services, which would have only served a fraction of the city’s population and geographic area. The rider fare is a unique $3.14 because Kyle is affectionately—and officially—known as the Pie Capital of Texas, where, the City says, “all things pie or Pi reign supreme.”

How It Works

To drive awareness of the City of Kyle’s informative app, residents and visitors are required to use it to claim the subsidy with Uber each month. Once riders accept the voucher within the City of Kyle app, it is activated in the rider’s account within the Uber app. The rest of their experience is identical to requesting any trip with the popular ride-sharing service: select a destination and get connected to a driver. If the trip qualifies for the subsidy, the discount will appear and be applied.

For eligible trips within city limits, riders pay the first $3.14 and receive a subsidy of up to an additional $10. Riders are responsible for any charges beyond the first $13.14 ($3.14 fare + $10 subsidy).

While most trips are fulfilled by drivers on the Uber app, for riders with disabilities, the City provides access to on-demand transportation in wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) through a contract with Maruti Transportation Group, a local paratransit provider. Riders who require a WAV can select MT Connect, the WAV option within the Uber app, or request a ride by calling the MT Connect call center. Providing MT Connect service within the ride-sharing app is made possible through a technology integration between Uber and Maruti. The same price rules apply for trips fulfilled using standard and accessible vehicles.

Growing the Service

Once the program was established, getting the word out to the public was the most important task. The City of Kyle’s staff used every method available, including a strong Public Relations campaign that led to news stories. The City found that social media, especially Facebook, and word of mouth were particularly effective in informing people.

Despite launching the Uber Kyle $3.14 program during the COVID-19 pandemic, the innovative program has experienced healthy growth. In October 2021—just one year after launch—the program expanded from the initial limit of 8 trips per month to the current 10 trips per month for each user. After receiving several requests from veterans and other citizens who have no other dependable local public transportation option, the City also expanded the program to select locations outside its limits. The program now subsidizes one round-trip per month from Kyle to the Austin Veterans Administration for $3.14, and two one-way trips per month to or from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for 31.4% of the ride cost.

By the Numbers

The average subsidy that the City of Kyle pays for each trip is $8.11. Which according to public transit standards, is fairly cheap. According to data from the Ohio Department of Transportation, the cost per each trip provided by the Miami County Transit Service is $28.09. Also, the average ride on a City of Kyle Uber Trip is 5.7 miles with an average ride on a Miami County Transit Bus is 10.1 miles.

It is clear that the comparison isn’t necessarily fair. The Miami County Transit System serves a geographical area of 818 square miles; the City of Kyle is only a fraction of that at 31 square miles. However, if we take a look at the subsidy cost per mile; the City of Kyle comes in at a tax-payer subsidy of $1.42 per mile, while the Miami County Transit Service comes in at a subsidy of $2.78 per mile, almost double the City of Kyle rate.

Potential for Miami County?

Could a ride-sharing service be an answer for public transit in a place like Miami County? Well, it’s certainly something that may deserve a closer look. But more than just the basic cost of the service, there are other considerations that should be taken into account.

Addressing Service Gaps

One of the drawbacks of the county transit’s demand-response system is that it is not operated all the time. The system operates from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday and has availability from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Satruday. The system operates 71 hours a week, which is a consderable amount of time for such a system. However, the ride-share system in Klye operates nearly 24/7. As long as drivers are available, the system is ready to serve.

For example, Miami County Transit could offer subsidized ride-sharing services to residents in areas not served by existing bus routes. This would enhance mobility for those who rely on public transportation for work, medical appointments, shopping, and other essential activities. By filling in the gaps where traditional transit services are less effective, Uber could help create a more comprehensive and inclusive transportation network.

The ride-share system also benefits from an interactive smart-phone app that is easy to use and on average, providers a ride within 11 minutes of the request. And while the Miami County Transit Service operates a demand-response system, it isn’t always user friendly. Potential riders must schedule their ride with at least 24 hours advanced notice. This can be challenging for those with time-sensitive appointments or critical needs to get the ride they need when they need it.

Enhancing Accessibility

Ensuring equitable access to a ride-share service would be a critical aspect of the program's success in Miami County. While many residents may have access to smartphones and bank accounts, there are vulnerable populations, such as seniors and low-income individuals, who might face barriers to using Uber. Work would have to be done to engage community organizations and service providers to address these challenges and ensure that all residents can benefit from the program.

For instance, a system could exist that could offer alternative booking options for residents without smartphones, such as a phone hotline or coordination through local community centers. Additionally, partnerships with social service agencies could help provide subsidized or free rides for low-income residents, ensuring that transportation is not a barrier to accessing essential services and opportunities.

Future Considerations

Looking ahead, the integration of ride-share services into Miami County's public transit system presents numerous opportunities for enhancing mobility and improving the overall transportation experience for residents. To ensure the long-term success of the program, the community would need to continuously monitor and evaluate the partnership, gathering data on usage patterns, rider feedback, and cost-effectiveness. This data-driven approach would enable the program to make informed adjustments to the service, ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs of the community.

Advice to Other Transit Agencies

The City of Kyle, which considered several other providers before choosing Uber Transit, emphasizes the importance of finding the right partner. One key was finding a partner that could help them remain ADA compliant by providing a Rider’s Choice program. In Kyle, innovation is something the city is built on; “Leading Edge” is one of its core values. Other cities and small towns that are experiencing growth the way Kyle is could explore new transportation service delivery options that make better use of existing non-dedicated resources.

The triple bottom line: look for transportation options that meet the needs of residents today, improve accessibility, and contain costs.

“I don’t know why more places don’t adopt this. If you have a bus system, you have to pay for a large system whether or not people are using it.” —Jerry Hendrix, Interim City Manager, Kyle, Texas

The use of ride-sharing services as a public transit solution in Kyle, Texas, represents a bold and innovative approach to addressing the transportation challenges of a growing city. The cost-effective, flexible, and user-friendly nature of the service has made it a success, with high ridership and positive community feedback. While there are challenges to address, the Kyle Uber model offers valuable insights for other communities and municipalities, including places rights here in Miami County, considering similar partnerships.

By integrating ride-sharing services into its public transit system, the community could enhance mobility, improve access to essential services, and create a more inclusive transportation network. With careful planning, cost management, and a focus on accessibility, the county could replicate the success seen in Kyle and provide its residents with a modern and efficient public transit solution.

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