Uber and D.C. Metro are partnering in new ways as the transit agency deals with fallout from its SafeTrack repair program.
"Metro is entering its first partnership with Uber, allowing the ride-sharing service to use kiss & ride and taxi zones at more than 40 Metrorail stations," reports Martin Di Caro.
"For Metro, which is suffering a severe, year over year ridership drop, it could help regain customers by providing a first-mile/last-mile connection to its rail stations," explains Di Caro. "For Uber, it could enhance efforts already underway to build its customer base. To promote its uberPOOL platform, the ride service has been heavily subsidizing the fares paid to drivers during rail service disruptions for SafeTrack, Metro’s year-long reconstruction program."
There's both a cynical take and an optimistic take that one could take in response to this news. One is that Uber is taking advantage of a struggling public resource to make gains in its quest for market dominance. The other is that this partnership is merely a step in that direction of a harmonious balance between mobile-app-enabled, automated personal transportation and large-scale, frequent public transit.
FULL STORY: http://wamu.org/story/16/12/09/metro-enters-first-partnership-uber-bid-boost-sagging-ridership/
Ride-Hailing Companies Eye Public Transit Opportunities for the Wrong Reasons
Uber and Lyft say they want to improve public transit, but the focus on profit could have serious consequences.
Density Increases Near Transit Station in D.C. But Ridership Does Not
D.C.'s ridership is down even as density around stations is up. More residents are choosing to drive or bike.
Additional Funding, Service Increase Sought by D.C. Metro Officials
For the first time in years, there is talk of expanding service on existing rail lines in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) system.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.
Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?
Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont