Green Raitero and Green Riderz: Shared Rides in Huron, CA
10 minutes Author: Shared-Use Mobility Center Date Launched/Enacted: Dec 18, 2023 Date Published: April 23, 2024
Clean Mobility Options is a statewide public program that empowers under-resourced communities across California to better understand and overcome mobility obstacles with vouchers for funding community needs assessments and clean, shared, zero-emission transportation projects. The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) is one of the three administrator teams that provide technical assistance in the implementation of Mobility Voucher Projects.
Watch a brief video exploring new mobility options in Huron, CA. Credit: SUMC
Introduction
The Green Raiteros initiative represents a community-driven paradigm shift in rural mobility, fostering a transition from individual car ownership to a shared fleet model. Through this approach, Green Raiteros has built upon an informal existing network established by retired farmworkers, helping to empower and mobilize the Huron community. In collaboration with West Hills Community College, long-time environmental justice advocate and Huron Mayor Rey León has spearheaded these projects with great success. They’ve partnered once again to launch the innovative Green Riderz program, which addresses workforce development, offers job training, and creates new career opportunities for local job growth.
Background
Huron, California, is a predominantly Latino agricultural community located 50 miles outside of Fresno in the heart of California’s Central Valley. The farming town is considered a disadvantaged and low-income community, with a Healthy Places Index Score (HPI) of 2.6 out of 10, and residents breathe air consistently ranked as some of the country’s worst. With Huron’s average household income of $35,000, average car ownership costs can take up to 40 percent of a household’s yearly income (up to $15,614 per year), according to the Housing and Transportation Affordability Index (H+T Index). The high cost of car ownership, coupled with chronic air pollution, underscores the need for sustainable mobility solutions.
In response to these issues, Huron has relied on an informal raiteros system, an indigenous ridesharing service provided by volunteer drivers, for decades. These types of systems are commonly found in large Latino communities. Despite the informality of the raiteros model—it is most similar to an unlicensed taxi service—it fills a critical niche in under-resourced rural markets across the U.S.
Green Raiteros aims to revolutionize transportation and sustainability in Huron. This program is launched by the partnership between veteran community Raiteros, The LEAP Institute, EVgo, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), The Schmidt Family Foundation-11th Hour Project, The California Endowment, and continues to gain support from General Motors, California Air Resources Board (CARB), California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC). Other partners are BioDico, Golden State Clean Energy LLC., Western Fiber, LEAP Industries, Building Trades Council, and West Hills Community College District.
Development
Green Raiteros offers affordable and eco-friendly mobility options to the Huron community and protects its most vulnerable members by providing free transportation to medical appointments for elderly and low-income individuals. The fleet, comprised of electric vehicles like Chevy Bolts and Tesla Ys, serves about 38 unique users annually, covering an average trip distance of 46.7 miles.
The program expands its reach with the introduction of “Green Riderz,” transporting students from the Huron area to universities and colleges. Using the new fleet of electric vehicles, students can enjoy seamless and efficient commutes, allowing them to focus on their education and school work. In collaboration with West Hills Community College, Green Riderz will also support workforce development, providing job training and creating new career opportunities for local job growth. Plans include expanding services to other universities like Fresno City College and Fresno State University.
Conclusion
The Green Raiteros and Green Riderz ridesharing initiatives, led by the Latino Equity Advocacy & Policy Institute, represent a transformative step forward for the City of Huron, California. Leveraging Clean Mobility Options funding, these programs pioneer community-based mobility solutions, while prioritizing sustainability and equity. Introducing electric vehicles addresses transportation needs and aligns with environmental and health concerns, providing a sustainable alternative to gas-powered vehicles.
The success of Green Raiteros and Green Riderz epitomizes collaboration and innovation, addressing transportation, healthcare, and educational needs in Huron. As the initiatives gain momentum, they serve as models of empowerment, job creation, and sustainability for underserved communities nationwide.
This endeavor embodies a remarkable joint effort between diverse stakeholders, including community organizations, educational institutions, foundations, and government bodies. The success of Green Raiteros and Green Riderz epitomizes collaboration and innovation, addressing transportation, healthcare, and educational needs in Huron. As the program gains momentum and expands its reach to universities, it’s not just about transportation—it’s about empowering communities, fostering job growth, and demonstrating a model of equity, sustainability, and collaboration that can serve as a beacon for other underserved regions. The Green Raiteros and Green Riderz initiatives are a testament to the potential of community-driven solutions to tackle multifaceted challenges and create a more inclusive and resilient society.