City Of Gastonia Approves Launch Of New Microtransit Rideshare Service

GASTONIA, N.C. — The Gastonia City Council has approved a 36-month, $1.65 million contract in the first year with River North Transit, LLC to provide on-demand transit services to riders, who complete approximately 144,000 trips annually. The amended service delivery will not displace ADA transportation services (para-transit).

The city also determined that on-demand microtransit will address a limited service area, hour-long wait times, an aging fleet of buses, and inequitable access to bus stops.

On-demand microtransit is similar to private rideshare services, allowing riders to book and pay for trips online, whether using personal computers or personal mobile devices connected to the internet. Riders are typically picked up at their preferred origin and taken to their preferred destination (curb-to-curb service). Riders can also take spontaneous trips and not be dependent on fixed-route service.

The improved service will launch July 1, 2024.