Birmingham On-Demand: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "'''Birmingham Direct''', also called '''Birmingham On-Demand''' is an microtransit service funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and the City of Birmi...")
 
No edit summary
 
(16 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Birmingham Direct''', also called '''Birmingham On-Demand''' is an 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.
[[File:Birmingham On-Demand van.png|right|thumb|425px|a Birmingham On-Demand vehicle]]
[[File:Birmingham On-Demand service area map.png|right|thumb|425px|2024 map of the Birmingham On-Demand service area, with the daytime service area in white and the evening service areas in darker blue]]
'''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 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 initially used distinctively-marked 6-passenger Mercedes Metris vans, some of which were 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 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 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]], [[Bush Hills]], [[Rising-West Princeton]], [[East Thomas]], [[Fairview]] and the [[Birmingham CrossPlex]] and [[Marino's Market]] in [[Central Park neighborhood|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.
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, 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 community|East Lake]], [[East Pinson Valley]], [[Huffman community|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 neighborhood|Inglenook]] and [[Woodlawn neighborhood|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==
==References==
* Beahm, Anna (September 24, 2019) "Birmingham council to consider microtransit pilot program." {{BN}}
* Beahm, Anna (September 24, 2019) "Birmingham council to consider microtransit pilot program." {{BN}}
* Coker, Angel (October 3, 2019) "City approves Via for microtransit program." {{BBJ}}
* Coker, Angel (October 3, 2019) "City approves Via for microtransit program." {{BBJ}}
* 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." {{BNow}}
* 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}}
* Byington, Pat (October 28, 2022) "Birmingham On Demand rideshare program is expanding into 19 eastern neighborhoods." {{BNow}}
* Michaels, Ryan (March 7, 2023) "[https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2023/03/birmingham-max-transit-to-launch-new-app-that-promises-efficient-ride-options/ Birmingham, MAX Transit To Launch New App That Promises Efficient Ride Options]." {{BT}}
* Nanni, Chris (March 19, 2023) "Good-bye to empty MAX buses and hello to Birmingham On-Demand." ''Comeback Town'' / {{AL}}
* "[https://www.atu.org/pdfs/ATU_FalsePromiseofMicrotransit.pdf The False Benefit of Microtransit]" (2024) Amalgamated Transit Union
* Schank, Joshua & Emma Huang (February 1, 2024) "[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-01/despite-its-costs-microtransit-can-make-public-transportation-better 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==
==External links==
* [https://www.birminghamal.gov/via/ Birmingham On-Demand] at birminghamal.gov
* [https://www.birminghamal.gov/via/ Birmingham On-Demand] at birminghamal.gov
* [https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=19dFhT_mJcCYizAzPv2DzPQ245U99uyyR&ll=33.510143770823134%2C-86.834675&z=13 Birmingham On-Demand service area] on Google Maps
* [https://maxtransit.org/ondemand/ MAX On Demand] at maxtransit.org
* [https://city.ridewithvia.com/birmingham Birmingham] at ridewithvia.com
 
[[Category:Public transit]]
[[Category:Ride-sharing]]
[[Category:2019 establishments]]

Latest revision as of 13:00, 30 May 2024

a Birmingham On-Demand vehicle
2024 map of the Birmingham On-Demand service area, with the daytime service area in white and the evening service areas in darker blue

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

External links

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Birmingham_On-Demand&oldid=216606"