A public rideshare program in Milwaukee intends to help people who take the bus to work. | Pixabay
A public rideshare program in Milwaukee intends to help people who take the bus to work. | Pixabay
A new rideshare program started in Milwaukee on Feb. 7 with the goal of providing more access to employment opportunities in the suburbs. The program is called FlexRide Milwaukee. It is intended to be a public companion service to Uber and Lyft, although it will not be as comprehensive in its destinations.
FlexRide Milwaukee is intended to be low cost. Rides will either be free or cost just $1.50.
"There's people that take the bus to the end of the line or to a stop near their employer, and they have to walk a mile to get there," Eric Lynde of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission told CBS 58.
The format of the program will be similar to Uber or Lyft with it being run through a phone app. All drivers with the program must be screened, have a background check and drive a car with FlexRide Milwaukee's logo on the side of it for safety purposes. The suburban areas covered in the program are in the Menomonee Falls and Butler area.
Prospective drivers will receive an access code within the app when they have been approved. Riders will need an official account to make use of the service. Pickup locations for rides might be a short walk from the original address given by the rider.
Riders will be informed of any difference in the app between the original location and where they will be picked up for their ride. The pickup and drop off locations are designated in advance and there will be five choices for riders. Two locations are free and three will have the $1.50 cost.
The service will run between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays. Vehicles will be wheelchair assessable. Individuals with questions can call (414) 667-7433 or send an email to support-milwaukee@ridewithvia.com.
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