What is microtransit? City launches on-demand transportation pilot program

Pull up an app on your phone, press a couple of buttons, and a driver will come to your location to pick you up.

The concept might sound familiar.

But starting Monday, if you live in certain parts of the city, that driver may not work for Uber or Lyft. They could be employed by the city of Albuquerque.

ABQ Ride is launching a free “microtransit” pilot program in the Southwest Mesa and neighborhoods near Old Town and the North Valley, parts of the city that don’t have enough demand for fixed-bus service but still have transportation needs, Transit Director Leslie Keener said.

For example, the vans, which seat six plus an additional space for wheelchair users, can drive people from their homes to a nearby bus or train stop. It is also available for trips to nearby grocery stores or doctor’s appointments within the zones.

Rides can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., using the ABQ Ride Connect app. Service animals are welcome, but pets are not.

“It’s about getting the last mile,” Mayor Tim Keller said. “It’s about accessing people in an equitable way — at their house, at their door.”

Andrea Calderón, a North Valley resident, said she recently took a trip to Mexico and saw microbúses and other shared taxi services. She said some of her neighbors are already excited about the new services.

“I believe our abuelitos, abuelitas, our cousins, all of our friends that have kids would love to have access to a bus that can take them to the train station, to the grocery store, to their neighbor’s house,” Calderón said.

To run the program, ABQ Ride bought five electric vans using its general operating fund. Keener said they still have a new car smell. Each costs $110,000.

For the first few weeks of the program, as the department builds out charging infrastructure, unused SunVans will transport passengers.

Drivers don’t need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to run the vans.

In October last year, ABQ Ride had a bus driver shortage of 41%. That number has shrunk to a 22% driver vacancy.

“We have started to see our vacancy rates creep down, especially with our non-CDL drivers,” Keener said.

Calderón said not requiring a CDL could open up more employment opportunities in transit.

“That’s a big barrier for our community in terms of employment access,” Calderón said.

At the end of the yearlong pilot program, ABQ Ride staff will measure its success with metrics including passengers per hour and rider response. At the end of each trip, passengers will be able to give feedback.