A new pilot program in Hastings is allowing those with limited transportation options to travel more through the Transit Link On Demand.
Dakota County Transportation Coordinator Robyn Bernardy said Transit Link On Demand is a program to help Hastings residents use public transportation in an updated way to better compete with other transportation options.
“The more transportation options that we have available, the better. You might be thinking about maybe not driving so much in the winter, and there is now this Transit Link On Demand option that you don’t have to drive in the winter anymore on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 10am-2pm. You may not want to drive to a doctor’s appointment and your friend that normally takes you isn’t available, so now you don’t have to cancel that doctor’s appointment you have this other option. So I feel like even for people that are driving, it’s really good to have this other transportation option available and know how to use it.”
Bernardy said the current pilot program is limited, and they are assessing the needs and usage in Hastings.
“The Transit Link On Demand pilot is available on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 10am to 2pm. It’s just a regular Transit Link vehicle that you may see around town. And there are two Transit Link On Demand vehicles and drivers available during that time period. So they are just hanging out waiting for people to use the service and book it. There are two ways you can book a ride, you can either use the Metro Micro app, and the second way is to call Transit Link at 651-602-5465 and just let them know you want to book on on-demand ride.”
Bernardy said it can be used without much notice and with real-time updates.
“I want to go to the grocery store right now, I don’t want to book it a couple of days in advance. So with the on demand option, you can book it right now for my ride, and also the transparency of being able to look at the app, if you are going to use the Metro Micro app to book your ride, and you can see where your drive is in real time, when they are going to get to you, when you are going to get to your destination. So I think more and more people are using Lyft and Uber and liking that on demand feature and the transparency of it, and Transit Link is trying to see if that might work, if Hastings might want that kind of service again.”
Rides are available within the city limits of Hastings including all residential areas, and most commercial areas. Rides are currently $3.50 each way, and rides are paid for with either cash with exact change or pay with a Go-To card, a reloadable fare card from Metro Transit. Find more information about the program and how to get a Go-To card below and tune in to Community In Depth on KDWA.