Re-Thinking Public Transit as “Micro-CED” with Wilson NC Leading the Way

<p style="font-weight: 400">Across North Carolina, CED professionals’ ears may have perked up over the weekend if they were listening to national public radio. The town of Wilson, N.C. was featured in the story, “On-demand shuttles are replacing buses in some areas.” Towns across North Carolina are turning the idea of mass transit on its head, opting for micro-transit instead. The reporter described micro-transit as “…where residents get service when and where they need it, rather than by waiting at a bus stop,” explaining RIDE, Wilson’s new version of public transit. Wilson, replacing its buses with the Mobility on Demand (MOD) ride-service. With a $1.50 fare, anyone can ride wherever they need to go – school, work, shopping, medical appointments, government offices, or to visit family.  The change saw city transit ridership more than doubling in two years. The Wilson program was also covered in the Charlotte Ledger.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400">The larger issues raised by this successful experiment are key for CED professionals. How can local government make it easier for citizens to be mobile – a boon for citizens, businesses, government and community services alike? Local governments commonly provide on-demand services for special populations – for example, older adults or those needing para-transport. These can be contracted out or provided directly by the local government. With the common development of ride-sharing services, however, technology and business expansion have made it much easier to expand on-demand ride service to all, challenging the dominance of the traditional bus systems. For smaller cities, towns and rural [...]</p>