There’s a new app-based transit service in town, and it’s called Milpitas SMART.
SMART stands for Simple Mobile Access to Reliable Transit. The service officially launched this week, and was made possible through an innovative partnership between the City of Milpitas, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), and RideCo. The affordable, on-demand service offered by Milpitas SMART makes it a convenient option for those in need of reliable transportation.
Thursday morning, the City held an event at City Hall to launch the service.
“This is a game-changer. With Milpitas SMART, we will be providing 12 hours of service per day, 5 days per week, through mini-vans with ADA access with maximum wait times between 10 and 15 minutes,” said Vice Mayor Carmen Montano at the event.
The service would not have been possible without the $1.1 million in Measure B funding awarded to the City of Milpitas by the VTA. This funding will go toward operating Milpitas SMART for one year.
Next week, the City of Morgan Hill is planning to launch a similar service called MoGo, which they’ve also partnered with VTA and RideCo on.
“By moving more people in fewer but more productive vehicles, we are catalyzing a generational shift in how people get around Milpitas,” said Mayor Rich Tran.
There are four major hub locations throughout Milpitas – the Milpitas Transit Center, Great Mall, City Hall, and VTA Alder Station. Riders can be picked up or dropped off at these spots, as well as various other locations throughout Milpitas.
Regular fare is $2.50 per ride. The City is also offering a reduced rate of $1 for young, disabled, and low-income riders. Not only that, but everyone gets a chance to take one free ride on Milpitas SMART – so long as you get on by October 11!
Milpitas SMART will operate Mondays through Fridays from 7am to 7pm. You can download the app at the Apple App Store or Google Play to hitch a ride.
This should finally end any thought about funding anything more about the proposed PRT boondoggle.
Well Joseph, that’s a one man total obsession of a local resident that often posts here and on Nextdoor. Obsession is putting it nicely. Boondoggle barely begins to describe it. He’ll attack anyone that dare criticize it too.
Simple Mobile Access to Reliable Transit is NOT simple. The terms of service is so long that most people can’t honestly remember them. That is not simple at all. To agree to them is to lie.