Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit Technology topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Palace Transit to launch Spare Labs app in August, changing same-day ride policy
Summary
Palace Transit staff said a new Spare Labs scheduling app will launch in August; the system will require advance scheduling, eliminate same-day 'will call' trips and make unscheduled same-day rides subject to a higher fare, with youth-transport forms tied to user profiles.
Palace Transit staff told the advisory board they are developing a Spare Labs scheduling app and expect a launch in August aimed at reducing phone-line demand and improving federal compliance.
Jessica Pickett said the agency is moving away from same-day “will call” ride requests: “That is going to be eliminated,” she said, explaining that riders will need to schedule recurring or single rides in advance and cancel when not needed. Staff warned that unscheduled same-day trips will be treated as same-day service and will carry a higher same-day fare (staff noted a $10 same-day fare for unscheduled trips).
The app will be set up so new rider profiles are created at the office (staff will not allow in-app self-registration) to prevent fraudulent or spam accounts. Youth transportation forms will be required and linked to a rider's profile before youth can be transported; staff said those forms will be integrated into the membership profile in the software.
Pickett described app features being tested: users will be able to choose a leave time or an arrival time, see bus identifiers and a photo of the assigned driver, and the system can geo-fence event areas to prevent pickups on closed streets. Staff said they are running test runs and trying to have the system operational before school starts so parents can schedule recurring school and rec center rides.
Board members asked how the policy change will affect dialysis and other medical riders; Pickett said return trips may retain a will-call option, but same-day unscheduled pickups will no longer be available and that medical trips will need scheduled rides to avoid the higher same-day fare. Staff said calls will still be accepted by phone as an alternative for some users, but scheduling through the app or office will be the primary path.
Next steps: staff will continue test runs, prepare outreach explaining new fare and scheduling rules, and include the changes in the passenger handbook.
