By Brittany Anderson
KYLE — There will soon be another disability-accessible transportation option for residents in and around the Kyle area through the Uber Kyle $3.14 program.
During the Kyle City Council meeting on Feb. 15, council members received an update on the program regarding the expansion and improvement of WAV (wheelchair accessible vehicle) services.
The Uber Kyle program started in October 2020 and is a partnership between the city and the rideshare platform Uber to provide reliable, low-cost transportation for Kyle residents and visitors.
Riders are issued one monthly voucher on the city’s mobile app that is valid for 10 one-way trips that can be used to take a trip anywhere that begins and ends within Kyle city limits. The program subsidizes rides up to $10 after riders pay the initial $3.14. Riders are then responsible for any costs over the $13.14 total.
Kyle Assistant City Manager Jerry Hendrix said that while the program has become a model for other communities to follow, they still have some room to improve.
One of those improvements is looking at how to improve accessibility to WAV services. Hendrix said that while there is currently a wheelchair accessibility option available on the app, it’s “not where they want it to be.”
During the meeting, Parth Parikh of Maruti Transit Group gave a presentation over MT Connect, Maruti’s service that is being proposed for the Kyle program to utilize.
MT Connect is an on-demand, non-emergency transportation service in partnership with Uber that operates over 50 WAVs in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, as well as Orlando, Florida.
MT Connect is looking to provide the $3.14 program with reliable WAV services between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., hours which Hendrix said can be adjusted based on demand.
MT Connect’s vehicles are all 100% ADA accessible and are equipped with plenty of technology for safety purposes, including interior cameras, tailgate and collision sensors and COVID-19 safety measures. They also have a low accident ratio, as drivers receive approximately 80 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on behind the wheel training.
Normally, MT Connect’s load fee is $12 per trip plus $2.50 per mile, but Kyle riders will pay in accordance to the $3.14 program’s rules. Hendrix said that the cost structure of using MT Connect’s services will be very close to what regular $3.14 riders experience.
Bookings will be available to be made in-app or through a call center. Additionally, the service allows for riders to schedule a booking time up to two weeks in advance.
Prathi said that because of Kyle’s proximity to resources available in San Antonio, he is confident in a four to six week turnaround time for implementing the service in Kyle.
The cost of the service’s technology integration is a one-time fee of $35,000 which will be used to “put Kyle on the platform” and ensure the city is able to utilize all of the necessary resources.
Maruti will next bring the MT Connect contract to council to approve; no vote was taken for this item during the meeting but council members were favorable towards the service.
Current accessibility options for the $3.14 program through the Uber app include iOS VoiceOver, Android TalkBack, wireless Braille display compatibility, assistive technology like visible and vibrating alerts and other in-app features that can facilitate non-verbal communication between the rider and driver.
With the UberWAV booking option, riders can also access vehicles that are wheelchair accessible for the same price. Additionally, all drivers should be able to assist riders with disabilities, including helping to store wheelchairs and walkers and accommodate service animals.
The program has seen other initiatives on top of accessibility services, including two monthly rides to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and a monthly round trip ride to the VA clinic in Austin.
For more information on the program, including how to sign up, visit www.cityofkyle.com/communications/uber-kyle-314.
