Project Summary
In rural areas, cost-effective transit service is challenging to provide due to greater distances, lower population densities, and longer travel times than in cities. Rural transit agencies often struggle to meet farebox recovery ratios. Per-trip costs, particularly for dial-a-ride services, can range from $50 to $100. The people who rely on public transit contend with infrequent and slow service. Access to a personal car is essential to the quality of life for most residents, from work to health care, education, healthy food, and other basic services. However, keeping two (or sometimes even one) car in reliable working order can consume a significant share of the household budget for low-income families. New technology services may offer a cost-effective mobility option for residents of rural communities and help the region meet its goals for smart growth under SB 375. The Ecosystem of Shared Mobility in the San Joaquin Valley is a pilot project designed to leverage new technologies and service models to provide affordable transportation options for residents of rural disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley. There are two main components of this project: (1) the Valley FLEX pilot, which introduces the concept of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) and a volunteer ride-hailing service to San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and (2) electric vehicle carsharing hosted at affordable housing sites in Tulare and Kern Counties. The pilot has received funding from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Energy Commission and will be operational from March 2019 to March of 2020. Funding received by the UC Institute of Transportation Studies will support the expanded evaluation of the pilots to assess the impact of the pilots on vehicle ownership, use of personal vehicles, frequency and use of different travel modes, and unmet travel demand. The evaluation will also document lessons earned from the pilot implementation and identify opportunities for sustained and cost-effective operations. The research will produce insights on the opportunities for potentially scaling the pilot models throughout the San Joaquin Valley and the State.
