Residents of Round Rock are set to see a significant change in their local transit options as the on-demand ride-sharing program, Round Rock Rides, prepares to extend its reach across the entire city come July 1. The City of Round Rock is taking steps to expand the service after witnessing a successful pilot program last year, providing a valuable alternative to conventional public transport for its community.
Round Rock Rides operates much like personal ride-hailing services, but it is designed with a public service sensibility. The expansion means that more passengers can schedule pickups and drop-offs at designated spots mapped out throughout the city limits, according to Community Impact. Service runs Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but, the service doesn't operate on Sundays.
While many residents welcome the increased coverage, some, like Karen Choate, a 66-year-old legally blind woman with mobility issues, remain cautiously optimistic. Choate's reliance on the area’s public transportation is complicated by the fact that her home is not directly within city limits, and she presently walks over a mile to the nearest pickup spot. "I don’t want to use the fact that I’m legally blind and have a bone-on-bone knee as a factor, but I’m also 66 years old. Come on give a senior citizen a break. You don’t need to make somebody walk that far when there’s no shade," Choate told KXAN. In response, a spokesperson for the City of Round Rock has indicated that the service's expansion will indeed bring a stop closer to her home.
Booking for Round Rock Rides is made accessible through a mobile app, website, or phone call – with the added benefit of being able to track the ride's arrival. The program also positions itself as an affordable option with regular fares pegged at $4 for a one-way trip, and a reduced fare of $2 available to seniors, paratransit service passengers, and active-duty military. Payments can be made beforehand on the app or in exact cash when boarding the vehicle, as reported by Community Impact.
