SMART, in partnership with Via, the leader in TransitTech, has announced a first-of-its-kind mobility solution for Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties that will transform the way residents are able to access public transit. Last week SMART began to operate its on-demand public transit service, called SMART Flex which will complement and extend the reach of convenient service in its existing transit system.
“SMART is taking several giant steps forward with the introduction of the Flex service, it helps to better meet the varying transit needs across the region with quick, affordable service,” said Kahlil Rahal, chairman, SMART Board of Directors and Wayne County deputy county executive. “The new SMART Flex service in Dearborn, Troy, and the Hall Road corridor is a flexible, technology based, vital transit service that helps people to easily move around to get to the places they need to go.”
Cities across the globe like Berlin, Miami, and Seattle rely on digitally-enabled transit solutions to create flexible, equitable, and resilient public transportation networks. SMART Flex is the Authority’s first venture into microtransit, and will strengthen a comprehensive transit network across the region by encouraging first-and-last mile connections to existing bus routes including SMART’s successful FAST service. The service will also facilitate local trips to hospitals, universities, and commercial destinations.
Using the SMART Flex mobile app, anyone within the zones, including residents and workers in Dearborn, Troy, and the Hall Road corridor between Utica and New Baltimore will be able to hail a vehicle directly from their smartphone or by calling the call center at 734-212-8429. Via’s advanced algorithms create quick and efficient trips by matching passengers and vehicles together in real time, and directing riders to a nearby “virtual bus stop” for pick up and drop off. The service will offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles and offer door-to-door service for those with limited mobility. SMART is hosting community events this week to increase awareness of the new service in each of the three areas.
“The launch of SMART Flex is a pivotal moment for transit in the Metro Detroit area,” said Daniel Ramot, Via CEO and co-founder. “A technology-enabled mobility solution will enhance and extend the strong transit network that SMART has already established, and offer a new way for residents to access critical opportunities across the region.”
SMART Flex will offer microtransit trips from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Rides start at $2, with a maximum price of $8, depending on distance.
Payment can be made by credit card or with Dart or SMART Passes. The SMART Flex app is available in English and Arabic. When a rider combines both SMART fixed route service and SMART Flex to complete their trip, the first $2 of the ride are included as part of the fixed route total fare – providing more convenient service as part of a fixed route trip.
Technology-enabled transit allows the service to be flexible, and allows SMART to make informed decisions throughout the duration of this initiative based on
the changing needs of the community. As a result, SMART decided to launch free rides to-and-from vaccination sites in Metro Detroit starting on March 10, without the need for a private vehicle. Trips to vaccine centers are door-to-door, and are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This offering is in addition to the microtransit service. SMART was able to use Via’s flexible transit platform to adjust and expand the SMART Flex service area for vaccination trips as more vaccine sites open throughout the region. To date, SMART has directly provided more than 500 rides for residents to get their vaccination helping to eliminate transit as a barrier.
The microtransit service is an added transit service that will help SMART’s effort, as a transit provider, to ensure a ride is available for anyone in the region to get vaccinated.
“SMART is excited to launch SMART Flex in these three zones across our region to start the next innovation in public transportation” said Robert Cramer, Deputy General Manager of SMART. “This service builds on SMART’s most successful and convenient fixed routes to provide convenient service across these entire zones.”
Via works with more than 200 partners in over 20 countries to help connect more people to transit, including Green Bay Metro, Columbus Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and Sydney’s Transport for New South Wales.
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