Microtransit Service Expands to 19 New Neighborhoods, Birmingham, AL, 2022

The City of Birmingham is expanding its microtransit, Birmingham On-Demand, to include a zone on its East Side. Birmingham On-Demand began its operations in February 2019 in the city’s central area to improve connections to employment, healthcare, and other essential destinations and services. This service allows customers to request shared curb-to-curb rides using a smartphone app or by calling a central hotline. Rides cost a flat $1.50.

Via, a technology company, serves as Birmingham On-Demand’s booking, routing, and payment technology provider. The fleet for the microtransit service consists of Mercedes Metris vans that can carry up to six passengers at a time. Birmingham On-Demand operates from 6 AM to 8 PM during the work week and from 10 AM to 8 PM on the weekends.

Since beginning service in 2019, Birmingham On-Demand has served more than 130,000 passengers, demonstrating its ability to meet a targeted need for Birmingham residents and visitors. The service’s expansion to the East Side zone provides users with a new means to connect to destinations like various shopping centers and the Birmingham Xpress Woodlawn Transit Station. Microtransit is a relatively new phenomenon in the shared mobility landscape. Birmingham On-Demand appears to be a case of how this type of service can be sustainable in a community.

Last updated December 16, 2022