Birmingham On-Demand
Region
- America
Country
- United States
Product
- Birmingham On-Demand
Tech Stack
- Mobile Application
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Customer Satisfaction
- Digital Expertise
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Fleet Management Systems (FMS)
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
Applicable Industries
- Cities & Municipalities
- Transportation
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases
- Fleet Management
- Public Transportation Management
- Remote Asset Management
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
The City of Birmingham, Alabama, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Birmingham, launched an initiative to address the transportation needs of its residents. Birmingham is a city with significant economic challenges, where 42% of residents have an annual household income below $25,000, and 17% have long-term physical or mental impairments. The city has historically been underserved by public transit, limiting economic mobility and access to essential resources. The initiative aimed to provide equitable on-demand transportation options to improve access to jobs, medical care, and education for the city's underserved communities.
The Challenge
According to the Brookings Institute, Birmingham residents without cars can reach 50 times fewer jobs within a 40-minute commute than those with cars. Large pockets of the city have been historically underserved by public transit, which has limited economic mobility and access to critical resources in a population where 42% of residents have an annual household income below $25k and 17% have long-term physical or mental impairments.
The Solution
In December 2019, Via launched Birmingham On-Demand, in partnership with the City of Birmingham and the Foundation for a Greater Birmingham. The new service provides the city with affordable on-demand, shared transit, with a focus on communities most in need. Riders can book on-demand trips through standard or wheelchair-accessible vehicles using a mobile application or by phone. The service provides flexibility in payment options to accommodate unbanked riders. The service zone covers 8.5 square miles with a fleet of 6 vehicles, operating from 6 AM to 8 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 8 PM on Saturdays. The rider cohorts include commuters, students, visitors, and seniors.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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