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A positive development has come from Sound Transit’s meager $10 million settlement with Mercer Island over the loss of the I-90 center roadway last year: the city has decided to partner with Uber and Lyft to help its residents.
Starting on April 23rd and lasting for six months, Uber and Lyft will offer rides to Mercer Islanders to and from the Mercer Island park-and-ride lot, where they can then take bus transit. The lot’s 447 stalls fill up quickly each morning by 7AM, leaving drivers frustrated. Uber and Lyft would solve this problem by picking up commuters in the morning and dropping them off at the lot, eliminating the stress of finding a spot.
The rides are subsidized through a small part of the settlement money as well as Uber and Lyft’s own contributions of $10,000 each. The first three months, solo and shared rides will cost a flat fee of $2. In the last three months, shared rides will remain $2 but solo rides will cost $5. Commuters have a choice and an incentive to try something new.
I imagine this is one of the few times we will see Sound Transit taxing district dollars spent wisely, and on increasing, rather than hurting, mobility.
This also sets a precedent for the future. It is a good example of the kind of public-private partnerships we hope to see more of between cities and companies that offer innovative, cost-effective and convenient ways to get around.
Bruce Agnew, a Mercer Island resident, noted, “It’s a small step. I think it sets the trend for the future. Ultimately, [these vehicles] will be electric and autonomous, and more efficient than running a bus on an infrequent schedule.”