Sierra Madre approves Uber Transit pilot to provide subsidized local rides
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Summary
The City Council authorized a pilot with Uber Transit designed to subsidize short trips that originate or end in Sierra Madre, funded initially with $100,000 in local transportation Prop A funds. The program uses four subsidy tiers, includes wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and staff said the pilot carries no direct equipment cost to the city.
The Sierra Madre City Council voted April 14 to launch a pilot program with Uber Transit that will subsidize rides originating or ending in the city.
Senior analyst James Carlson told the council the city appropriated $100,000 in Prop A local-transportation funds to stand up a short-term program while staff completes a new RFP process for a longer-term service. Under the pilot, riders pay a $2.50 passenger portion per trip and the city subsidizes rides in four tiers: $20 for trips inside the city and to nearby hospitals and transit stations; $15 for trips up to 1 mile beyond city limits; $10 for trips up to 3 miles beyond city limits; and $5 for trips beyond that range. Carlson said annual Prop A expenditure estimates for the program range from about $108,000 to $168,000 depending on demand assumptions.
Carlson said there is no income eligibility screening; subsidies are destination driven to avoid administrative burdens. He also said the pilot includes WAV (wheelchair-accessible) vehicles and that Uber will provide a dashboard and help with community outreach and non-app phone access. When council members asked how quickly the pilot could start, staff estimated implementation could take roughly 30 days if the council authorized the agreement.
Council member Kelly Kriebbs moved to authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute an agreement to initiate the Uber Transit pilot; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. The motion record in the meeting transcript records support from multiple council members during question-and-answer and no roll-call opposition.
Why it matters: Council and staff framed the pilot as a low-cost, rapid interim response to gaps in local transportation service while a permanent solution is developed. Supporters said the subsidy levels are a substantial reduction from prior on-demand contractual costs, and staff said the project will track usage monthly and can be adjusted as needed.
What’s next: Staff will finalize geofencing and mapped destinations with Uber, provide dashboard access to city staff, and monitor voucher and usage data. The city manager will sign the final agreement in a form approved by the city attorney and report back to council on pilot performance and budget impacts.
