Gastonia replaces city buses with on-demand minivan service
GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Gastonia city leaders launched their GoGastonia microtransit service Monday to replace traditional city buses.
Like Uber and Lyft, residents can summon a ride through an app or phone call.
GoGastonia has a fleet of 14 minivans, four of which are wheelchair accessible.
Professional drivers, contracted through River North Transit, LLC, can take riders to any address within city limits for a flat fare.
A one-way trip costs $2. Riders who are older than 65 years old or riders with a disability will be charged $1.
Children younger than 5 years old ride free. Parents must provide their own car seats. Riders must be at least 13 years of age to ride without adult supervision.
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Transit leaders said low ridership and high maintenance costs prompted them to look for an alternative to busses.
Transportation Director Randi Gates told Gastonia City Council members in June the solution was a long time coming.
“We know that we need to better and we know we can do better, that’s what brought us here,” she said.
Gates said ridership was down to an average of seven passengers per hour on all routes. She said several of the city’s nine busses in the aging fleet needed replacing.
City officials entered a three-year agreement with New York-based tech company Via for the services for $1.65 million.
Riders earn 10 free rides, courtesy of the city, once they activate an account.
Unlike private rideshare services, GoGastonia will not have surge pricing.
“No matter what time of day, no matter how far you’re traveling,” said Gates. “If you’re going two miles or ten miles, it’s going to be $2 for that regular fare.”
Drivers are allowed to accept tips, but cannot solicit them.
Operators said safety is a priority. Each van is equipped with four cameras and real-time GPS data.
“There’s also a panic button that the driver can use if something happens. That will alert us to look at the cameras immediately and we can call authorities if we need to and tell them exactly where the vehicle is,” said Gates.
GoGastonia rides are available the same hours busses used to run, 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. during the week and 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays.
Drivers will not accept cash payments, but riders can use cash to purchase a ticket or voucher at Bradley Station.
Bus routes covered about 22 miles within the city, GoGastonia services a more than 50-mile area.
Riders can book a pickup by calling 704-753-7439 or downloading the GoGastonia app.
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