Milpitas SMART (Simple, Mobile, Access to Reliable Transit), our city’s own on-demand rideshare provider, is becoming more and more of a staple in our daily lives, with SMART vehicles regularly visible on our streets.
The service launched in 2022 and has since completed over 100,000 rides, taking residents to and from schools, doctors’ appointments, and shopping centers, among many other destinations.
In a recent move, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) awarded the City of Milpitas a grant in the amount of $2.77 million to continue and expand SMART’s services.
As a result of the grant money, we can expect to see 50% more SMART vehicles operating at more hours of the day. Also, autonomous vehicles (AVs) will join the fleet, putting Milpitas at the forefront of the driverless car revolution.
In a City press release, Mayor Carmen Montano said, “This grant is a huge win for Milpitas and a testament to the SMART program’s impact. With thousands of rides already completed and growing monthly demand, SMART is transforming how our residents, especially seniors, students, and families access the places they need to go. This funding helps us meet that need and lead the way on the future of transit.”
Go here for more information on Milpitas SMART.