Arlington To Expand Ride Share Service To Southern City Limits

From the City of Arlington:

By Susan Schrock

The City’s Via Rideshare service area is set to expand in early 2020, making affordable, on-demand public transportation accessible to even more residents, employees and visitors in The American Dream City.

In support of City Council’s priority to Enhance Regional Mobility, Arlington first partnered with Via Transportation, Inc., in 2017. Earlier this week, the City Council approved a one-year contract to continue the app-based rideshare service for a third year. In addition to increasing Via’s fleet of six-passenger Mercedes Metris vans from 15 to up to 28, the service area will now extend to the southeast city limits to reach destinations that include the Tarrant County College Southeast campus and the Interstate 20 at Park Springs Park and Ride lot. Click here to see the future service area map.

How Does Via Work in Arlington?

The app-based rideshare service currently uses a fleet of six-passenger vehicles, a smart phone application and dynamic routing to provide efficient on-demand trips and access to a wide range of destinations. Pick-ups and drop-offs take place within a one to two block walk. The services has no fixed routes and no fixed schedules, allowing riders to experience a personalized transportation solution that fits their needs.

Booking options are available for riders that do not have a smartphone or need a cash option. For $3 per person per trip, riders can access any destination within the service area from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Riders can also purchase a ViaPass for a current cost of $15 per week and ride up to four times per day all week long.

Where Does Via Go?

The current service area is generally bounded by Lamar Boulevard on the north, Fielder Road on the west, Interstate 20 on the south, and State Highway 360 and the city limits to the east of State Highway 360 between Abram Street to the north and Arkansas Lane to the south. The service area includes major destinations such as Downtown, the University of Texas at Arlington, major hospitals, the Entertainment District, the Parks Mall, Arlington Highlands, and the CentrePort TRE Station. Click here to see the service area map.

Next year, the expanded service area will encompass approximately 41 percent of the city’s land area. This area will includes approximately 191,000 people, which is 49 percent of Arlington’s total population, as well as 89,400 jobs, which is 65 percent of the total jobs in the city.

Click here to learn more about Via or to download the Via app.

This press release was produced by the City of Arlington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.