METS Micro is a three-year pilot program. It’s designed to offer more flexibility than the fixed route bus service and more capacity than the METS Mobility service.
It’s used through a smartphone app to request a pickup and drop-off spot with about a 20-minute response time.
According to the city, METS Micro has completed more than 37,000 rides.
Todd Robertson is Director for the Department of Transportation and Services. He said they took 800 rides the first month and 4,700 so far this month, and they’re trying to keep growing.
“We're right now trying to seek out grant opportunities and other partnerships to try to continue to see how we can best roll this out citywide,” he said. “So that's our goal right now.”
Robertson said the program initially focused in part, helping people get to Deaconess Gateway Hospital, staying east of US-41. College students were also identified as a group who may need such services.
“Now we've crossed over into the downtown area. Pretty much we don't cover the full 113, area, 477113, area, but we have expanded to a greater portion of it, and then we're looking to grow even more in the future.”
That will take partnerships and grants and getting the word out about the program. He said these partnerships are part of the success story of METS so far — and a reason other programs in different cities haven’t lasted.
Via the City of Evansville:
METS, with help from Toyota Mobility Foundation, Energy Systems Network and the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization, introduced METS Micro as a pilot program to enhance mobility for Evansville residents, offering a $2-per-ride shared transportation option.
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