Letter: Dial-a-ride beats public buses
"In September of 2020, the city of Wilson [of about 50,000] embarked on a dramatic change. It eliminated its entire public bus system in one fell swoop and replaced it with an on-demand van transit system that gave residents flexible options for getting to work, school, or anywhere else in town.
Working with an international company called Via, which serves communities in over 20 countries, the city implemented a system much like a shared Uber ride. Via allows residents to request a ride by phone or mobile app, walk to a nearby “virtual bus stop” and be driven to their destination.
In an interview during the launch, Wilson city manager Grant Goings noted that “our existing bus system is outdated and inconvenient for most citizens. We believe our (new system) will provide better service. According to the city, transportation issues have been the biggest hurdle to people finding and keeping employment in the city.”"
https://www.aier.org/article/a-revolution-in-public-transportation-from-...