LYNNWOOD — Community Transit board members voted to continue the successful pilot program of the Zip Alderwood shuttle.
Zip Alderwood provides on-demand rides, similar to Uber or Lyft. The pilot project transported riders from the Swamp Creek Park and Ride to the Lynnwood Transit Center. Its service is bound by Highway 525 and I-5 to the east, 164th Street SW to the north, 204th Street SW to the south and Highway 99 to the west.
On Thursday, the board unanimously voted to continue microtransit as a “regular service” and approve a $1.08 million contract with MedStar to provide the service in Lynnwood.
Jennifer Hass, senior manager of Innovation for Community Transit, said about 1,300 customers had used the service since it began in October 2022. There have been about 26,000 rides so far. That averages out to about 20 rides per person.
“Overall, we got really good feedback from customers from all ages, whether it was youth, students, seniors, adults using the service for all sorts of purposes, which was ideal,” Hass told the board. “That’s what we wanted when we designed the service.”
Since Zip Alderwood began, users could hail a ride using the “GOIN’ – Rides For All” app or by calling 425-521-5600. Fares are $2.50, the same price as regular bus fare.
Community Transit board member and Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell said, overall, the reception of Zip has been positive.
“The service it’s provided here in Lynnwood has been nothing short of amazing,” Frizzell said. “I highly endorse us moving forward with this and I’m excited to see what this can do in other regions in Snohomish County.”
Funding for the initial pilot project initially came from federal grants. Money to keep it running is in the agency’s proposed budget for 2024, Hass said.
Community Transit is also looking for feedback on expanding the program elsewhere, spokesperson Monica Spain said. Pilot programs are in the works for several other Snohomish County towns and cities.
“We have been working with residents and officials in the municipalities of Arlington, Darrington, and Lake Stevens, and have proposed transportation solutions for each of these areas,” Spain wrote in an email. “A Solutions Survey is available and notification has been sent via postcard and will also be announced on social media. We are asking people who live or travel in these communities if the proposed options would meet their travel needs.”
Those surveys will be open until Nov. 17, Spain added. Instructions to complete the survey are on the postcard.
“We just want to be able to pilot in areas, so communities understand that we want to learn about it and see how it’s working,” Hass said.
Jordan Hansen: 425-339-3046; jordan.hansen@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jordyhansen.
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