he Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) is celebrating the first anniversary, of its innovative and affordable on-demand public transit service, METS Micro. Since launching on November 27, 2023, METS Micro has completed over 37,000 rides.
METS, with help from Toyota Mobility Foundation, Energy Systems Network and the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization, introduced METS Micro as a pilot program to enhance mobility for Evansville residents, offering a $2-per-ride shared transportation option.
Using an app-based “virtual bus stop” system, METS Micro operated by TransitTech provider Via, matches riders heading in similar directions, to optimize cost, efficiency while also minimizing wait times. Additionally, the program offers accessibility to persons with mobility impairments.
Todd Robertson, Executive Director for Transportation and Services, said “METS Micro initially began serving the Eastside of Evansville, and then in June 2024 expanded into parts of downtown and now reaches approximately 50% of Evansville’s population and 40% of the city’s jobs.”
As METS Micro marks this milestone, METS is looking forward to continued growth and hopes to make the service a permanent fixture in Evansville’s transit landscape. The program’s one-year success underscores the need for flexible, affordable, and accessible transit solutions in urban communities.
For more information on METS Micro, visit https://city.ridewithvia.com/metsmicro.
Additional information:
Transformative Impact on Residents
A July 2024 rider survey revealed that METS Micro is not just a transit service but a lifeline for many residents. Key findings include:
- 83% of riders report a positive impact on their lifestyle.
- 73% feel more connected to the Evansville community.
- 63% now have access to places previously unreachable by METS’ fixed-route buses.
METS Micro also serves as a crucial link for low-income and disadvantaged communities, with 90% of its ridership coming from low-income households. The service plays a significant role in connecting residents to essential healthcare services, with 33% of rides being used for medical appointments.
Testimonials Highlight the Service’s Value
Riders have expressed strong support for making METS Micro a permanent part of Evansville’s public transportation system. A local healthcare provider shared, “We use it for our patients to get to and from appointments, which not only decreases no-show rates but also helps connect our patients to healthcare.”
The sentiments are echoed by residents, with one rider stating, “Please make this a permanent part of our public transportation. Not having access to my own vehicle won’t prevent me from living my life and accessing better job opportunities.”
About Via:
Founded in 2012, Via pioneered the TransitTech category by using new technologies to develop public mobility systems — optimizing networks of buses, shuttles, wheelchair accessible vehicles, school buses, autonomous vehicles, and electric vehicles around the globe. Building the world’s most efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation network for all riders — including those with limited mobility, those without smartphones, and unbanked populations — Via works with its partners to lower the costs of public transit while providing transportation options that rival the convenience of a personal car while reducing the environmental impact. At the intersection of transportation and technology, Via is a visionary market leader that combines software innovation with sophisticated service design and operational expertise to fundamentally improve the way the world moves, providing technology in 700 communities and more than 35 countries and counting.
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