Arlington On-Demand
Company Size
1,000+
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Mercedes Metris
- Sienna vans
Tech Stack
- Customized app
- Prepaid card system
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
- Environmental Impact Reduction
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics
- Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)
- Networks & Connectivity - Cellular
Applicable Industries
- Cities & Municipalities
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Fleet Management
- Public Transportation Management
- Smart City Operations
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
The City of Arlington, located in Texas, is a significant urban area that faced a unique challenge as the largest U.S. city without public transportation. The city government recognized the need for alternatives to personal vehicle use to reduce congestion and provide accessible transportation options for all residents. Despite multiple attempts to pass transit investment measures, the residents consistently voted them down, leaving the city without a viable public transportation system. This situation necessitated a creative and effective solution to meet the transportation needs of its diverse population, including commuters, residents, visitors, seniors, and students.
The Challenge
In September 2017, the Arlington City Council opted to replace a low-volume fixed route bus, the Metro Arlington Xpress (“MAX”), with Via’s comprehensive microtransit solution. Before MAX, Arlington was the largest U.S. city without public transportation. Arlington’s story was a familiar one: The city government recognized a need for alternatives to driving alone in personal vehicles, yet the residents voted down measures supporting transit investment time and again, rejecting three transit ballot measures since 1979.
The Solution
In December 2017, Via launched Arlington On-Demand with 18 vehicles in a reduced zone within the city of Arlington. The service now features a fleet of 53 — soon scaling to 68 — custom-branded Mercedes Metris and Sienna vans that cover the entire city. Customers book rides using a customized app or by phone, and can pay with a credit or debit card, or with a prepaid card for unbanked users. In addition to providing point-to-point transportation across the entire city, the city is enhancing regional mobility by providing first-and-last-mile connections for riders traveling to the Dallas-Fort Worth area via the Trinity Railway Express.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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