Stamford Advocate: Stamford unveils new city-run rideshare program StamForward, with free service for limited time
Tyler Fedor, Stamford Advocate
STAMFORD — Stamford residents have a month to try out the city's brand new on-demand rideshare system, StamForward, for free.
After Dec. 19, residents will pay $1.75 for an individual ride through the StamForward program. The service is a cheaper alternative to rideshare services like Uber or Lyft, Transportation Bureau Chief Frank Petise told The Stamford Advocate.
Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons unveiled the rideshare program on Nov. 19, saying the service was “one more step forward towards making our city more inclusive, more equitable and more connected.”
“We really wanted to design it to serve underserved communities and make it as accessible and equitable as possible,” Simmons said.
Stamford residents 62 years or older and those eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act with a valid ID will pay 85 cents per ride. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available.
Stamford residents can request a ride through the StamForward app, which can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play stores. Petise said the coverage area of the service included the South End, East and West Side and downtown.
Those who don’t have a smartphone can also call 203-204-9782 to book a ride.
Rides are available seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. all year. Stamford residents must use a credit or debit card to pay for the ride.
More information can be found on the StamForward website at https://city.ridewithvia.com/stamford.
The service is provided by the city in partnership with Via, a New York City-based TransitTech provider that specializes in developing microtransit services and has offices around the world. Microtransit is an on-demand transportation service similar to ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
The company also has partnerships with other municipalities in Connecticut. Via currently works with Stamford, the Norwalk Transit District, Wesport, River Valley Transit and Valley Transit District, according to Sara-Jessica Dilks, Principal of Global Public Relations for Via.
The rideshare service was created thanks to $2.5 million in state funds the city received in 2023 and will run for two years on those funds. Stamford was one of nine transit districts and municipalities that received funds to develop similar microtransit programs, while Norwalk and other cities in the state already have such programs.
Petise said he expected the service to be “very successful” and that the city would ask for more funding from the state to support it after the two years are up.
“We're trying to get people out of individual cars, so connecting that first and last mile from the Transportation Center and then also providing equitable transportation for some of the residents that don't own vehicles, so they can get to and from things like the grocery store,” Petise said.
About 64,200 residents live in the proposed service area, Transportation Planner Luke Buttenwieser said. Fifteen percent of those people are living in poverty, 9 percent are disabled and 65 percent have access to one car or none at all, he said.
This story includes previous reporting from Staff Writer Jared Weber.
Read the original article here.