FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deekay Fox
Office: (661) 869-6304
Cell: (661) 378-2353
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2019
Golden Empire Transit’s First Month of RYDE
Bakersfield, CA — The Golden Empire Transit District (GET) launched its six-month on-demand pilot project (RYDE) on April 7, 2019. The service is proving to be successful in shaping the future of public transportation in Bakersfield. During the first month of service, 700 custom trips were completed. On March 29, the service hit a record high of 47 trips completed.
Much smaller than a typical 40-foot bus, the RYDE shuttle (wheelchair-accessible, with two bike racks, and comfortably accommodating eight passengers) will take passengers curb-to-curb within a designated zone in the southwest area of Bakersfield (generally defined by Hwy 99, Panama Ln, Old River Rd, and Rosedale Hwy).
“If you enjoy the convenience of services such as Uber or Lyft, then RYDE is the flexible solution with professionally trained drivers you’ve been waiting for,” said Karen King, GET’s CEO. “RYDE offers tremendous potential to expand GET’s service area, attract new riders, fill transportation gaps, and provide more effective sustainable ways to reach low-density communities and other traditionally hard-to-serve areas.”
Customers can book a RYDE using the Microtransit app or by calling GET at 661-869-6380. The Microtransit app was developed by the rideshare company Transloc which is partnering with GET to provide the pilot program. GET will be monitoring the use of RYDE to determine possible service area expansions later this year. Visit www.RYDEBakerfield.com for additional information about the pilot program or to download the Microtransit app and try RYDE for yourself.
GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 90 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 21 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).
