MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – This summer, the Mountain Line Transit Authority will switch software platforms for the on-demand van service, RideMon for users in the Grafton/Fairmont Road and Mountain Heights areas. On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” CEO Dave Bruffy said the current platform is operated by Uber, and that service will end in June after about 10 months of operation.
“Our plan is that we’ll be able to implement this new software service and get it in place before Uber discontinues our use of their app in June,” Bruffy said.
Users will still have the option to schedule a reoccurring ride for work or school, among other options. When the switch is made, users will still pay 75 cents for the connection or fares can be paid with WVU identification, 30-day passes, and the Mountain Line Property Tax Bus Pass program.
“If you had an eye doctor appointment or a haircut appointment and you needed to be there at 1 p.m., you would ask to arrive there by 12:55 p.m., and the software does all the work on the backend, and we send you a notification of when we’re going to pick you up,” Bruffy said.
Bruffy said on-demand users will have access to full-sized buses and the full route schedule from one of three drop-off points.
“We drop them off at three main locations to catch a mainline bus,” Bruffy said. “That’s the Walmart on Grafton Road, the Mountaineer Mall, or the Sheetz in Sabraton, so you have some options of where you want to go.”
Bruffy said the on-demand model brings public transit services to people who live in rural areas with narrow roads and difficult access for traditional methods. Officials are considering expanding the service to the Eastern Circulator and Crown routes in the future.
“I don’t think that it is the kind of service that will replace mass transit or additional bus service, but I think it is an opportunity to expand service to people that have not had it before,” Bruffy said.
Also, Bruffy reminded residents seeking drug treatment that they can access free rides to treatment and counseling appointments through the Mountain Line Transit Authority.
“We offer free rides for people that are looking for treatment or recovery services related to opioid use disorder,” Bruffy said.