Madison County Transit launched its first MicroTransit service, MCT Micro, in Collinsville on August 12.
As part of a pilot program, MCT Micro is offering low-cost, on-demand rides within Collinsville to improve and expand local transportation options.
“We want to see how the technology is used and how people respond to it,” MCT CEO SJ Morrison said on August 9. He said the company’s goal is to increase the number of trips and riders.
The MCT Micro-Service will be powered by technology from SpareLabs Inc. and operated by MCT’s partner, the Agency for Community Transit (ACT). It will utilize MCT’s smallest ADA-accessible buses and will be driven by ACT’s trained, drug-tested and screened drivers. All vehicles will be equipped with video surveillance cameras and bike racks.
“This innovative pilot program allows residents in Collinsville to summon an MCT vehicle using a mobile app or with a quick phone call,” said Morrison. “I commend the MCT Board of Directors for their vision and the hard-working ACT team for implementing this exciting new service.”
MCT Micro is a public transportation service that allows its users to book on-demand rides through an app on a smartphone or tablet computer or by phone call and travel anywhere within a pre-determined zone, in this case 15 square kilometers. Each ride on MCT Micro costs just $1 and all valid MCT passes, tokens and Free Ride passes are accepted.
Morrison said MCT chose Collinsville because it is a diverse city – ethnically and socioeconomically. They also wanted a location with short response times between downtown and popular destinations within that 15-square-kilometer zone so people could get to their destinations quickly.
Once launched, passengers will be able to request rides through the MCT Micro app, call the MCT dispatch center, or simply walk up to the vehicle to board. MCT Micro will operate Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will also provide service in Collinsville on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., filling a critical gap in weekend service and providing a level of accessibility not previously available on the #15 East Collinsville Shuttle or #21 West Collinsville Shuttle routes.
The MCT Micro app can be found on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store by searching for “MCT Micro.” Once downloaded, riders only need to enter a phone number to book a ride. Passengers without a smartphone can call MCT to schedule a ride. MCT Micro rides cost $1 and can be paid for through the app using TokenTransit, MCT’s mobile ticketing partner.
“The initial response has been very positive,” Morrison said. “At MCT we are always trying to find ways to innovate and this is another example of that. I’m excited to see how it goes.” He declined to comment on what areas the program might expand to next, saying it was too early to say.
Rides can be scheduled immediately or for later in the day. Riders who wish to book a ride more than 24 hours in advance must do so by calling an MCT dispatcher at 618-797-4636. For more information about MCT Micro, visit www.MCT.org/micro. For more information about MCT services, visit www.MCT.org, call 618-797-4636, or email [email protected].
