The city of Birmingham today launched a pilot program for a new on-demand microtransit service called Birmingham Direct.

Microtransit is different from traditional fixed-route transit, which uses large buses and moves a large group of riders. The service is on-demand, meaning riders don’t have to wait for the bus or follow a bus schedule. Each ride costs $1.50. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

"First and foremost I want people to know this is a service that is meant to be complimentary to the public transportation system that we already have here,” said District 5 councilor Darrell O’Quinn, who chairs the Transportation Committee.

“Having a lack of public transportation options available to our residents is one of the biggest issues we face in this city. We’re going to continue to find solutions to address these needs. Having this service available will be crucial to help the approximately 13 percent of our population that does not have access to a vehicle. We’re going to keep bringing forward additional options to help fill that need.”

District 9 councilor John Hilliard said the city is not trying to replace the Birmingham-Jefferson Transit Authority, but instead provide more options for people who don’t have access to a reliable car.

“We’re not trying to replace the BJCTA or anything like that. This is just another option for people who need a cheap, reliable way to get to doctors appointments or to go buy groceries. I see they have transportation like this in other cities. We’re thinking down the road. It’s always good to have choices. It’s our fiduciary responsibility to provide the best transportation opportunities to our citizens,” Hilliard said in a statement.

The pilot service zone will only cover a 6.7 square-mile section of the city, which includes city hall, UAB, the courthouse and other city and county offices in downtown. The service zone will stretch from the city center and west to the Crossplex, which will be the western border of the pilot program.

The neighborhoods that will be serviced by the pilot program include: Smithfield, Graymont, College Hills, Bush Hills, Rising West Princeton, East Thomas, Fairview, Downtown and portions of Southside.

To use the service, riders can use an app or call an 800 number to request a ride. Within 15 minutes, the van will arrive at an intersection near the pickup location. Riders won’t be required to walk more than a few hundred feet to meet the van.

Cash is not accepted as payment. Credit/debit cards, Paypal and prepaid cards are accepted.

The on-demand ride sharing service works similar to Uber or Lyft, where riders request a ride through an app and a vehicle picks up the rider and takes them to their destination. The service works through Via microtransit, which uses Mercedes Metris vans to transport riders to anywhere within the designated service zone.

However, the program is not like Uber or Lyft, where private citizens use their private vehicles to provide transportation. All Via drivers work for Via and use Via-branded vans.

The $752,000 service is a 6-month pilot. The city paid $250,000 for the pilot. The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham will provide up to $502,000. The $250,000 from the city was earmarked in the 2020 budget.

The pilot was approved by the city council in September.

The pilot program will include four Via-branded Mercedes vans, which can carry up to six passengers, city officials said.

The cost to expand the program throughout Birmingham would be about $5 million, O’Quinn said.

Learn more about the service and download the app by clicking here.