The city of Houston this week launched an app for its Community Connector shuttle service as part of a ten-month pilot project.
"Taking a cue from ride-hailing services, the Metropolitan Transit Authority plans to debut an app next week that will allow riders to book trips with its existing on-demand shuttles," reports Dug Begley in a paywalled article for the Houston Chronicle.
"Once it goes live Sept. 8 in two areas, the app will bring an Uber-like interaction to shuttle users in Metro’s three established Community Connector zones, including the ability to rate the service and the driver," adds Begley.
The app, called curb2curb, adds a new way to access existing on-demand transit service through the Community Connector service, launched simultaneously with Houston's vaunted bus system redesign in 2015.
The app is being launched in a 10-month pilot project, reports Begley. The pilot "will study whether an app and so-called microtransit services such as neighborhood shuttles serve a demand in Houston that makes financial sense." The curb2curb app will be offered for Community Connector service in three parts of the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County service area: Missouri City, Acres Homes, and a large area north of Kashmere Gardens.
FULL STORY: Transit on demand: Metro launches app to boost neighborhood shuttle program
Houston Council Member Questions Microtransit Investment
METRO’s support of an on-demand microtransit service comes as the agency is scaling back its bigger bus projects.
New App Would Enable On-Demand Public Transit
As transportation network companies like Uber and Bridj make it easier for some to opt out of the public transit system, a new app would help transit agencies offer more user-centric services.
A Brief History of Kansas City’s Microtransit
The city’s costly experiment with on-demand transit is yielding to more strategic investment.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
How Community Science Connects People, Parks, and Biodiversity
Community science engages people of all backgrounds in documenting local biodiversity, strengthening connections to nature, and contributing to global efforts like the City Nature Challenge to build a more inclusive and resilient future.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Dear Tesla Driver: “It’s not You, It’s Him.”
Amidst a booming bumper sticker industry, one writer offers solace to those asking, “Does this car make me look fascist?”
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.
City of Santa Clarita
Ascent Environmental
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service