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Via says Go West Covina has cut per‑ride costs and proposes commingling with dial‑a‑ride to save $500,000
Summary
Via Transportation told the council Go West Covina provided about 50,000 rides at roughly $16 per ride and proposed combining microtransit with the city's dial‑a‑ride to unlock fleet supply and save an estimated $500,000 in the first year.
Alex Batisti, the partner success manager for Via Transportation, told the City Council on April 21 that the Go West Covina microtransit service generated more than 50,000 rides since launch and that per‑ride costs have fallen to about $16. Batisti said the service replaced underperforming fixed routes that averaged 1.5 passengers per vehicle hour at a cost of roughly $80 per ride.
Batisti proposed commingling the Go West Covina fleet with the city’s dial‑a‑ride service—using a single fleet and one app—to increase supply and reduce unit costs without requiring significant new local funding. “We believe that commingling will save the city of West Covina $500,000 in the first 12 months,” Batisti said. He said Via has used this approach in nearby Rosemead and will return to council with a formal proposal and data.
Council members welcomed the presentation and asked for a follow‑up with ridership forecasts and cost models. Batisti said he and staff will return in coming weeks with a formal presentation and are available to meet with councilmembers individually to run the numbers.
Next steps: Via will submit a more detailed operational and financial proposal to the city in the coming weeks; council requested staff coordination and a briefing prior to any contractual or program changes.
