Westfield commuters now have a new way to get around town without a car, as Union County officially launched its RideUC on-demand shared-ride pilot in the borough on Oct. 28. The free service, run in partnership with Via, is designed to connect riders to the Westfield train station, downtown businesses, shopping and other local destinations, with rides costing nothing through Nov. 20 before a $3-per-trip fare kicks in.
Westfield was picked as the first Union County community to launch the program, according to Patch, which reported the one-year pilot is intended to address last-mile transportation needs. The service runs weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to RideUC's official site, which also confirms rides are free through Nov. 20 before the $3 fare begins. As TAPinto Westfield reported, the pilot is funded by Union County and intended to give officials a way to assess how residents use the service.
How the Booking System Works
Riders can currently book trips through the Android app, per TAPinto's reporting, while an iOS version is expected soon. In the meantime, iPhone users can book rides by calling 908-304-9138 until that app becomes available, according to the same report. RideUC's site notes that riders can also download the app from the Google Play store or use the web portal, and trips cannot be booked in advance — riders should request a ride 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time.
The service operates corner to corner using virtual bus stops rather than standard door-to-door pickup, though RideUC's site states that door-to-door service is available for riders with accessibility needs. Union County selected Via through a competitive contracting process, according to MyCentralJersey, with Via providing vehicles, drivers, scheduling technology, customer service, maintenance, community engagement and performance reporting. That same report described the planned service zone as centered near Route 28 and South Avenue, covering a 1.5-mile radius and expected to serve roughly 35,000 residents.
Local Officials Cite Parking Pressure
Westfield Mayor Jeremy Berman said the borough was selected to launch the county-funded pilot and that he looked forward to its impact on the community, per TAPinto's reporting. Berman pointed to Westfield's active commuter population and parking lots that often fill to capacity as part of the case for the service, which officials say may help ease demand for parking and reduce cars on the road. Beyond commuting, RideUC may also support shopping, dining, appointments and errands, according to the same report.
Union County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Joseph Bodek said RideUC marked a milestone following planning and coordination to improve county transportation, TAPinto reported. Commissioner Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded said the pilot will let officials learn from residents how the service can meet community needs, while Commissioners Rebecca Williams and Lourdes Leon attended the launch celebration, according to the same account. Officials say the pilot will allow them to assess resident use, identify what works and explore how microtransit complements existing transportation options.
Via's Statewide Footprint and What Riders Elsewhere Pay
Via co-founder and CEO Daniel Ramot said RideUC can connect people to NJ Transit, grocery stores and health care appointments, per TAPinto's reporting. Ramot noted that Via operates micro-transit services in 40 countries and almost every U.S. state, and said New Jersey alone has 10 such services statewide. He also cited an MIT study finding that each dollar invested in transit returns $11 in community economic activity, according to the same report. Separately, Mass Transit reported that Via recently completed its three millionth microtransit trip across New Jersey.
Other New Jersey counties offer their own takes on the model. Passaic County runs a Via program offering $1.90 rides in Passaic and Clifton, while Trenton residents can use GoTrenton for $2, with some free rides for maternal health workers and pregnant or recently postpartum women, according to the New Jersey Monitor. NJ Transit, meanwhile, launched its own MicroLink pilot in Monmouth and Bergen counties in April, offering free connections to major bus stops and park-and-rides as part of a two-year program funded in part by a $7 million federal grant, according to NJ Transit.
This TAPinto report was made possible by a collaboration of TAPinto sites across Union County.
