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Residents criticize Via ride service and urge stronger small-business support during public comment
Summary
Several residents used the public-comment period to complain about on-demand ride service Via’s performance in West Sacramento and to urge more city attention to small-business permitting and support.
During public comment at the Oct. 1 City Council meeting, multiple residents raised concerns about the Via on-demand ride service and about perceived obstacles for local small businesses.
Guy Stevenson told the council he and other riders have experienced long waits and poor communication from Via, including frequent managerial turnover. Stevenson said drivers and passengers report unanswered emails and hour-plus waits for rides. He urged the city to conduct accountability checks and consider broader bids to ensure reliable service.
Small-business advocate Matt Weaver told the council he watches meetings regularly and sees little attention to brick-and-mortar local businesses. Weaver said the city’s permitting processes are unfriendly to small proprietors and that consultants and developers often get preferential treatment. He encouraged council members and staff to prioritize Main Street businesses and to improve responsiveness and outreach to local entrepreneurs.
Council members did not engage in a policy vote on either concern during the meeting, but the comments were recorded for staff and council consideration. City staff did not present a response during the public-comment period.
Ending: Residents asked the council to monitor Via’s service performance and to examine permitting and outreach procedures that small-business owners say hinder local entrepreneurs.
