A Review of Shared Mobility in 2024

Ridership is back on the rise…

Among the most promising trends in 2024 was the rebounding of transit ridership in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Transit agencies and mobility providers have been working to learn about new ridership habits and adjusting service in ways that accommodate these new trends. According to an American Public Transit Association report from April 2024, transit ridership in the US has recovered to 79% of pre-COVID levels. 

Ridership for other modes has increased as well. According to the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association’s most recent State of the Industry report, released in August, shared micromobility ridership in North America as well as the number of North American cities with micromobility programs have surpassed pre-pandemic levels and has hit all-time highs. Some systems have also set new monthly ridership records, like Washington DC’s Capital bikeshare with over 515,000 rides in May, or New York, NY’s Citibike with 3.76 million rides in July. 

…but the transit fiscal cliff continues to be a major concern

Despite increases in transit ridership, the industry still faces a looming fiscal cliff, and agencies around the country grappled with (and continue to confront) how to address upcoming budget shortfalls. Because a good portion of public transit operating budgets rely on fare revenue, the loss of ridership accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic left many agencies with large budget gaps and fears of having to cut service, close stations, or lay off employees. The 2021 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided emergency assistance to public transit agencies around the country to support operations in response to the pandemic. However, as these emergency funds begin to run out, state departments of transportation and transit agencies must find ways to fill in the gaps. Some states have authorized additional state assistance to metropolitan transit agencies, however, in many cases (for instance, in Pennsylvania), these efforts have been short-term, insufficient, and temporary stopgaps. While ridership and other metrics for transit have improved significantly in 2024, the fiscal cliff still poses a major concern. And as this fiscal cliff gets closer, innovative solutions at the state and local levels are needed to address these budget gaps so that transit agencies can continue to provide necessary services. 

Microtransit can improve access to fixed-route transit and other key destinations

Microtransit’s presence has grown dramatically over the past several years, and 2024 saw an abundance of large and small communities across the country launching microtransit programs to help fill in gaps in transportation networks or connect people who might otherwise have limited options to fixed-route services and other key destinations. Some of these programs include Jump Transit in Charlotte, NC, The HOP in Central Texas, RABA Runabout in Redding, CA, BLink in Bloomington, IN, CAT SMART Transit in Savannah, GA, and Metro Link in Kalamazoo, MI. These efforts, and other microtransit investments across the country, signal the widespread adoption and acceptance of microtransit as a transportation solution, both to address the first-last mile problem and to improve access for communities where fixed-route services are unavailable or unreliable. For more information on microtransit, explore SUMC’s Microtransit Learning Module.

The micromobility industry is at the forefront of innovation

Credit: SUMC

While we have previously highlighted the volatility of the bikeshare and scootershare industries, 2024 ushered in a number of impressive advancements and innovations in the micromobility world. August brought the advent of a new form of bikeshare in the US, as CargoB, the country’s first cargo bikeshare launched in Boston, MA. Bikeshare is often lauded as a low-cost, healthy  substitute for short car trips, and cargo bikes, with their added space for groceries, luggage, or other passengers, can help encourage mode shift even further. Though CargoB is currently a small operation, with only a handful of pedal-assist cargo e-bikes, it signifies a promising trend in improving mobility without a personal car.

Elsewhere in the country, bikeshare programs have been working to revamp and modernize their systems. One notable example is CapMetro in Austin, TX which rebranded and revamped its bikeshare program in 2024 to accompany a large-scale system expansion and electrification, ultimately tripling the size of Austin’s bikeshare network. CapMetro Bikeshare’s fleet of about 800 bicycles is now 100% electric pedal-assist bikes (up from 43% last year), and the agency is nearing the completion of modernizing all 80 of its docking stations. This network expansion and modernization also accompanies the release of a new bikeshare mobile app that will help riders find bikes, plan trips, and pay for passes. 

Additionally, in Amsterdam, NY, the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) bikeshare, CDPHP Cycle! Partnered with re:Charge to launch universal wireless charging stations for pedal assist ebikes. The charging stations aim to significantly reduce operating costs, increase vehicle availability, and make shared micromobility more available and affordable.

Bikeshare and public transit can work together towards complete and connected multimodal networks, and bikeshare operators and transit agencies have been exploring innovative ways to integrate their services. In 2024, Shasta Living Streets (the non-profit operator of Redding Bikeshare) and the Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA) partnered to make multimodal transportation easier and more convenient for residents of Redding, CA. Through the partnership, RABA and Shasta Living Streets developed the Redding Bikeshare First Last MIle Bikeshare Pass program, a voucher program that allows riders to make free transfers between RABA buses and Redding Bikeshare. Through these innovative and collaborative efforts, RABA and Shasta Living Streets have fostered a more connected and mobility-friendly community. 

Microlino‘s light urban vehicle. Credit: Alexander-93

On the rise internationally, and gaining attention in the US, e-cargo delivery bikes, e-tuktuks, microtrucks and low-speed electric vehicles (LSVs) or neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) – collectively referred to as “light urban vehicles” (LUVs) – fill an important gap in the mobility ecosystem. Smaller than a car or truck, but larger than a bicycle, LUVs provide broad utility at a much lower cost than full-size electric vehicles. LUVs, however, fall into a regulatory grey zone in the US. Neither car nor bike, cities and states have adopted separate policies and regulations to address these emerging mobility devices, resulting in a national patchwork of inconsistent and confusing regulations that stymie scaling and adoption despite their benefits. SUMC, together with partners at Cityfi and the Urban Freight Lab, has been selected under the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to lead a public-private-community collaboration to facilitate nationwide regulatory consistency for ultralight e-mobility solutions. This project will develop model policies, codes and infrastructure designs – informed by a working group of industry leaders, public policy makers, and community stakeholders – for adoption by states and cities across the country. 

Micromobility proponents pushed for more funding opportunities

As the micromobility industry continues to grow, some communities in 2024 pursued new potential funding opportunities for bikeshare and scootershare systems. SUMC signed a Letter of Support for a 2024 bill in the Nebraska Legislature that could provide grants to nonprofit organizations operating bikeshare programs. Introduced by Omaha Sen. John Cavanaugh, LB1250 would see the state Department of Economic Development establish the grant program and award grants to nonprofits it deems eligible. Although the bill is currently postponed indefinitely, it signifies rising interest and support of active transportation. If passed in the future, the bill would mark an unprecedented state investment in shared micromobility.

These cases highlight a growing trend in the micromobility world; as communities continue to recognize how bikeshare and scootershare can be integral parts of transportation networks, there is more push for opportunities to fund these programs. 

Community-oriented initiatives promote active mobility

Grassroots and community-oriented mobility initiatives are integral to addressing critical transportation access needs, and SUMC observed and supported several community-driven bicycle education and active transportation programs in 2024. 

In March, SUMC published an evaluation of the Chicago Department of Transportation’s ambitious pilot program to distribute 5,000 bicycles to Chicagoans with mobility and transportation access challenges. The program, which is set to continue into 2026, follows regional plans to increase road safety, enhance transportation access, and foster a healthy biking community.

Additionally, SUMC is part of the Capacity Building team for the US Department Of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program. Among other projects, SUMC supported the City of Decatur, IL, and other partners in developing a Learn and Earn a Bike program, where children aged 10-12 from the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur met regularly to learn bike safety and maintenance throughout Summer 2024. Upon completion of the program, each student was awarded their own bicycle and helmet to keep.

Initiatives like these support active transportation, foster local partnerships, and empower communities with safe and affordable mobility options.  

Voters voiced their support for shared mobility

Last year revealed a wave of public support for transportation investments, evident in the myriad transportation initiatives passed all around the country. Throughout 2024, communities voiced their support for public transportation by voting in favor of shared mobility ballot measures. For instance, in August, Durham County, NC voters passed a half-cent sales tax to fund transit improvements to help GoDurham, the area’s transit agency, return to pre-COVID service and expand its system. Additionally, In Seattle, WA, a $1.55 billion transportation levy to maintain and modernize streets and improve pedestrian access to transit passed with overwhelming support during the November general election. 

These are just two of the many electoral victories for shared and active transportation in 2024. Other victories include successful ballot initiatives for bike and pedestrian trails in California, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, and Washington, and successful transit-related ballot initiatives in South Carolina, Michigan, California, and Arizona. 

Innovative technology can address major transportation barriers

Transit agencies are continually developing new technologies to improve transit service and make mobility more accessible and connected. Agencies around the country, including the Crawford Area Transportation Authority in Meadville, PA and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority debuted new contactless payment technologies in 2024 to modernize their systems and improve rider experience. Contactless payments, while not exclusive to this technology, can open the door to more payment options, like fare capping, fare integration, and other ways to make transit more accessible. 

On the topic of fare integration, transit agencies in 2024 continued to explore how new technologies can enhance multimodal transportation networks. In April, Denver RTD, in partnership with Transit App, launched a pilot project to integrate trip planning and fare payment for several mobility providers in the Denver metro area. The project allows for riders to access different mobility options from a single mobile application, ultimately making it easier and more convenient to travel throughout the region. 

Other innovative projects explored how transit services can integrate with other social services. For instance, Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency, supported by the US Department of Transportation’s ITS4US program, began its second phase of developing the Health Connector, an integrated platform to book and manage both medical appointments and transportation services concurrently. When fully realized, the Health Connector will enhance access to transportation and healthcare in Dallas County, IA, with a focus on the complete trip.

To address accessibility issues for blind and low-vision transit riders, in February, VIA Metropolitan Transit began installing nearly 6,000 NaviLens signs at and near bus stops around San Antonio, TX. NaviLens is an innovative wayfinding system that helps users navigate to bus stops, access real-time bus arrival information, and board buses through spoken instructions from a smartphone. A NaviLens mobile app automatically detects signs whenever users are within 50 feet, and provides spoken navigation steps and other relevant information to a user. This pilot highlights how transit agencies are exploring innovative technologies to make systems more accessible. 

Developments in data standardization aim to make mobility more accessible

Data standardization is essential for creating interoperable, accessible mobility systems. Data specifications and standards allow for the electronic sharing of information between mobility providers, so that riders can easily plan trips using multiple services and mobility providers can better understand mobility needs. SUMC released a research report in September 2024 on the Transactional Data Specification (TDS), focusing on how it and other data standardization efforts can assist coordinated transportation around the country, particularly for demand-responsive services in small urban and rural areas.

Credit: SUMC in collaboration with AARP

The supporting Roadmap to Implementation offers valuable insights into the steps needed to support the development of data standards. Key considerations begin with planning, design, implementation, and refinement. Interagency partnerships, engaging the community, and active governance oversight are central to the process and must be revisited throughout. A primer to data standards and available resources is also available on SUMC’s Mobility Learning Center.  

A groundbreaking development in data standardization from 2024 was the official adoption of GTFS-Flex into the General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) in March, 2024. Overseen by MobilityData, GTFS is an open standard used by transit agencies around the country to relay vehicle location, route, schedule, and fare information to customers through apps like Google Maps, Transit, or Moovit. Until recently, GTFS only supported data on fixed-route services. GTFS-Flex is an extension of GTFS which provides data on flexible, on-demand services like dial-a-ride or microtransit. After over a decade of development, GTFS-Flex has been officially adopted into GTFS, opening more opportunities for travelers to find, plan, and book rides, particularly in rural areas where fixed-route services are less available. 

In a parrel effort supporting the development and access of data standards, the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission (NEMTAC) has been developing standard terminology to help in the communication and delivery of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services. The standards development covers aspects like definitions, levels of service, and modes of transportation. These standards serve as a resource when communicating aspects of public transit and specifically DRT services. 

Targeted AV pilots can tackle specific community needs

Cities and transit agencies continue to explore the potential of autonomous vehicles (AVs). In addition to a number of new AV shuttle services that launched in 2024 (like Detroit’s Connect service), mobility providers have also explored the potential of AVs in targeted deployments, with pilot projects centered on specific populations or settings. In Walnut Creek, CA, Contra Costa Transportation Authority partnered with Beep to launch PRESTO, a free AV shuttle service for a senior community. The service aims to increase mobility for a community that traditionally faces mobility challenges. 

Other AV pilot projects launched last year include a shuttle to take Sleeping Dunes National Lakeshore visitors through the National Park in northern Michigan, an autonomous campus shuttle at Mississippi State University in Starkville to take students between campus, residential areas, and entertainment districts, and a pilot to integrate AVs into SouthWest Transit’s existing microtransit program in Eden Prairie, MN.

State departments of transportation invested in shared mobility

In 2024, state departments of transportation made notable investments in innovative shared mobility. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in particular demonstrates how state DOTs can support shared mobility at an institutional level; in addition to creating positions and hiring staff dedicated to shared mobility coordination, MnDOT also manages Moving Greater Minnesota Forward, an innovative mobility incubator which seeks to identify and support projects that improve shared mobility primarily in rural and small urban areas. In 2024, MnDOT selected dozens of awardees in several cohorts to fund a variety of shared mobility-related projects. 

Other states have similarly supported shared mobility initiatives in 2024. In September, SUMC, in partnership with Via, released a report for the Missouri Department of Transportation about how other state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations can use microtransit and other shared modes to support first and last-mile connections to workplaces. The report highlights the innovative ways that mobility providers, with support from states, are addressing access challenges. 

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) launched the first phase of the Connecticut Integrated Transit Mobility Project (CT-ITMP) pilot project in October 2024. CT-ITMP enables open-loop payments on two Connecticut bus systems (CT Transit Meriden division and River Valley Transit in Middletown), allowing riders to seamlessly transfer between systems without needing to purchase multiple passes in advance of boarding. CT-ITMP is just one recent example of state departments of transportation supporting open-loop payment technologies, which when implemented thoughtfully can make public transit more efficient, convenient, and accessible.

Catching up with FTA innovation projects

As SUMC reflects on shared mobility and supporting systems in 2024 we are reminded of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s mobility innovation demonstration projects, which have helped to pave the way for wide-scale shared mobility solutions. SUMC has been a technical assistance provider for several FTA programs, with activities including individualized support on program design and implementation, peer-to-peer knowledge sharing through regular grantee cohort meetings, in-person workshops, industry learning during program-wide meetings with guest presenters, and the development of tools and resources. 

This work began in 2016 with the Mobility on Demand  (MOD) Sandbox, which focused on advancing innovation for transit around MOD, and promoting carefree mobility. FTA Sandbox objectives set out to understand what it takes to further transit innovation and its impacts, such as enhancing the transit industry preparedness for MOD, integrating MOD practices into existing transit service, validating the technical and institutional feasibility of innovative MOD business models, measuring the impact of MOD on the travel experience, and identifying relevant policies and regulations that impede transit innovation. SUMC provided technical assistance to the group of 11 public sector agencies. In 2018, the MOD On-Ramp program expanded on the MOD Sandbox by supporting six projects from transit agencies or county governments seeking to find ways to leverage mobility innovations in their communities. And since 2019, under the banner of the Mobility Innovation Collaborative (MIC), SUMC has provided technical assistance to grantees of 25 FTA Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) and 24 Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) demonstration grant projects around the country, focusing on MOD, transit automation, mobility payment integration, and innovative approaches to improve transit financing, planning, accessibility, system design, and service. The 60+ grantees for these programs range from tiny rural and tribal agencies to the largest urban systems and comprise a geographically and technologically varied set of pilots, including automated shuttles, accessible on-demand transportation, integrated payment technology and trip planning across multiple modes of travel, and the study of incentives and gamification to boost the use of transit investments.

In late 2024, SUMC checked in on the grantees roughly a year after the completion of most of their mobility innovation projects. Of the agencies who responded, more than 2/3 had found ways to continue their projects with funding sources beyond the original grants and were continuing their projects, often with a heterogeneous mix of federal, state, and local funding. The projects generally reported success in demonstrating the potential for various mobility innovations, but also showed the real-world impacts of new approaches to providing transportation access. Several projects increased access to mobility, particularly in rural areas: 

• Wilson, NC’s rural microtransit project “is having a huge economic impact . . . in terms of employment transportation,” especially for residents who were previously unserved by fixed-route transit.  
• Cecil County, MD’s project focused on providing transportation to people recovering from addiction, and reported concrete impacts beyond just a major increase in transportation access: the number of users reporting that they had been late in their rent dropped by half, increased the number of people who could independently maintain their own travel needs by the same amount, and decreased the average number of days needed to gain employment by almost 2/3.
• Minnesota DOT’s rural mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) project reported a 4% increase in rural transit ridership in project areas versus systems not using MaaS technology, increasing both same-day and week-before reservations while also reducing call-center volumes. 

Beyond these measurable impacts on access and employment, respondents reported a variety of lessons learned from their projects that will lead to more effective use of public resources in the future—including how to improve cross-agency and public-private coordination, effectively marketing new services to target users, and building agency knowledge on how to administer complex multi-agency projects to more efficiently use limited capacity while maintaining strong communication among partners.  

The impacts of the pilots often extend beyond the city or region where they are located, supporting industry-wide investment in shared mobility. Pilot project representatives are widely recognized in the industry and are often featured both in local press and in peer-reviewed research, as well as through leadership of new convenings and peer-to-peer exchanges building on their pilots’ findings. Some examples include the Minnesota Department of Transportation Mobility as a Service platform, which creates and ingests GTFS-Flex data feeds and other emerging standards. The shared autonomous shuttle in Arlington, Texas, has helped researchers in new areas of inquiry, like evaluation of the public’s willingness to use shared robotaxis and how to integrate shared AVs into existing transportation services. 

Conclusion

A wave of innovations, successes, and public support flooded the shared mobility world in 2024, demonstrating that communities everywhere are energized about safe and connected shared transportation systems. SUMC is optimistic of how these trends will continue to grow and take shape, and will continue to monitor how the shared mobility industry evolves into 2025 and beyond. 

Is your state, county, or city planning or implementing an innovative shared mobility project? We would like to hear about it. Please contact us at policies@sharedusemobilitycenter.org.