Results of Rancho Cordova “Free $5 to Ride” Ridehailing Discount Coupon Program

Status

Complete

Project Timeline

July 1, 2018 - December 31, 2020

Principal Investigator

Areas of Expertise

Public Transit, Shared Mobility, & Active Transportation

Campus(es)

UC Davis

Project Summary

In 2017, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) introduced a new competitive grant program open to its members to support innovative projects that implement Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies that reduce single occupant vehicle (SOV) travel and ultimately improve regional air quality and/or reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. From this competition, the City of Rancho Cordova will be receiving funding to subsidize travelers using Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to connect to light-rail stations with the goal of matching people with alternatives to driving alone. This project will develop and administer a survey to those participating in the City of Rancho Cordova’s pilot to understand whether the pilot program reduces vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and to gain insight into the magnitude of the change in VMT. Currently, we believe it is possible that the TNC selected for the pilot will administer a survey to participants prior to being allowed to use the discount code. We will work closely with the City in negotiations with the TNC and to implement a participant user survey. The City will also provide researchers with ridership data for the light rail stations served by the pilot before, during, and after the pilot project. Researchers will evaluate the change in ridership by controlling for confounding external factors (e.g., change fuel costs, traffic congestion, weather, and employment) that could impact the analysis of results. Focus groups will also be conducted prior to the pilot implementation to help improve pilot design, marketing messages, and marketing strategies.