Lafayette’s transit system is set to introduce an on-demand, smaller-vehicle service this summer, a move city officials say could better reach residents without cars and ease strain on a separate paratransit program that serves more than 30,000 riders a year.
The Lafayette Transit System presented a microtransit pilot to the Lafayette City Council on Monday, outlining a $300,000, six-month program that would deploy three minivans and one wheelchair-accessible vehicle in a service zone on the east side of the city. The zone was selected based on Census data identifying the highest concentration of zero-car households, according to Mike Mitchell, Lafayette’s transit and parking manager.
Unlike fixed-route buses, microtransit vehicles will not follow set schedules. Riders will use a smartphone app to request trips within the designated zone. Those traveling outside the zone will be taken to the Rosa Parks Transportation Center to connect with the city’s fixed bus routes…