Uber and D.C. Metro are partnering in new ways as the transit agency deals with fallout from its SafeTrack repair program.
"Metro is entering its first partnership with Uber, allowing the ride-sharing service to use kiss & ride and taxi zones at more than 40 Metrorail stations," reports Martin Di Caro.
"For Metro, which is suffering a severe, year over year ridership drop, it could help regain customers by providing a first-mile/last-mile connection to its rail stations," explains Di Caro. "For Uber, it could enhance efforts already underway to build its customer base. To promote its uberPOOL platform, the ride service has been heavily subsidizing the fares paid to drivers during rail service disruptions for SafeTrack, Metro’s year-long reconstruction program."
There's both a cynical take and an optimistic take that one could take in response to this news. One is that Uber is taking advantage of a struggling public resource to make gains in its quest for market dominance. The other is that this partnership is merely a step in that direction of a harmonious balance between mobile-app-enabled, automated personal transportation and large-scale, frequent public transit.
FULL STORY: http://wamu.org/story/16/12/09/metro-enters-first-partnership-uber-bid-boost-sagging-ridership/
Ride-Hailing Companies Eye Public Transit Opportunities for the Wrong Reasons
Uber and Lyft say they want to improve public transit, but the focus on profit could have serious consequences.
Density Increases Near Transit Station in D.C. But Ridership Does Not
D.C.'s ridership is down even as density around stations is up. More residents are choosing to drive or bike.
Additional Funding, Service Increase Sought by D.C. Metro Officials
For the first time in years, there is talk of expanding service on existing rail lines in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) system.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service