Andre Colaiace, Executive Director of Los Angeles Access Services, recently highlighted the value of on-demand rideshare services like Uber to help transit agencies manage capacity issues and increase flexibility in Los Angeles. Colaiace noted that leveraging technology with instant scalability could redefine how transit agencies address shifting demand, particularly benefiting riders with disabilities who depend on accessible transportation options.

“I think that’s really the power of using a [platform] like Uber,” noted Colaiace on the Transit Unplugged Podcast. “If you select a button, all of a sudden you’ve got this instantaneous capacity that you didn’t have before. And that’s very powerful. I think it’s the future, because we’re going to need the capacity to provide these services.”

A case study by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) demonstrated the impact of this model: a partnership with Uber and Lyft for on-demand rides resulted in a 28% increase in trips and an 80% reduction in average trip costs, highlighting both efficiency and cost savings.

Data published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health also indicates that integrating ridesharing with public transit can improve mobility for those without access to private vehicles, enhancing overall transportation equity.