On-demand ride service in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, sets its debut on Tuesday
The city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is set to introduce a new public microtransit service called 'Northern Lite' on Tuesday. This innovative service, operated by Via Transportation in partnership with Eau Claire Transit, offers a blend of flexibility and affordability, leveraging public funding to provide a more accessible transportation option for the community.
## A Community-Focused Service
Unlike private companies like Uber and Lyft, Northern Lite is integrated into the public transit system. This integration allows it to operate more like a traditional public transit service but with the flexibility of on-demand rides. The service is designed to provide a more publicly accessible and subsidized transportation option, making it a more community-focused service aimed at increasing mobility for all residents.
## How It Works
To use Northern Lite, users must download the Northern Lite by EC Transit app onto their smartphone to book a ride. Riders are directed to pick-up and drop-off locations to minimise detours and keep trips running smoothly. The app matches riders headed in the same direction, allowing for shared trips to help keep costs low.
Individuals without a smartphone can book a ride by calling 1-715-202-6757. The service will be available from 6:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. The cost of a ride on Northern Lite is $1.75, and users can also use their bus pass.
## Special Features
Riders with mobility issues can request door-to-door service and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The service can also be used to go outside the microtransit service area and be picked back up within the service area.
Those looking to save more money might consider purchasing a day pass for $3.75, which offers unlimited rides on the bus and microtransit. However, the service will have a more limited region than private companies like Uber and Lyft.
## A Pilot Program
The program is a one-year pilot, funded for one year, and the city will decide whether to extend it based on usage. The idea for the name came from one of the bus drivers. The name "Northern Lite" was chosen about a month ago.
Eau Claire Transit Manager Katrina Running hopes the service will introduce people who've never utilised the public transit system in Eau Claire to try it out. She believes that Northern Lite will make a significant difference in the city's transportation landscape, providing a more accessible and affordable option for all residents.
[1] https://www.ec-transit.org/northern-lite [2] https://www.wpr.org/eau-claire-launching-microtransit-service-northern-lite-tuesday
- To take advantage of door-to-door service and ensure wheelchair accessibility, residents can request specialized vehicles on Northern Lite, a new microtransit service, which operates within the public transportation system of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
- Beyond ride-sharing, residents can also save more by purchasing day passes for $3.75 on Northern Lite, offering unlimited rides on both the bus and microtransit services.
- As Northern Lite by EC Transit is a one-year pilot program, funded for one year, the city of Eau Claire will evaluate usage to determine whether to extend the innovative transportation service, funded in part by public finance, as the service aims to provide an accessible and affordable transit option, transforming the local lifestyle within the home-and-garden sector.
