Plymouth Metrolink Says New Dial-A-Ride App a Success
Changes in technology make catching a ride though a local Dial-A-Ride easier and more efficient. Plymouth is using a new Microtransit app and Maple Grove is encouraging more people purchase 10-ride punch tickets digitally.
Plymouth Calls New App “A Success”
The city of Plymouth launched a smartphone app called “Microtransit” last fall. Metrolink riders can book and pay for Plymouth’s Dial-a-Ride shuttles through the app.
Plymouth residents can use the shuttle buses to go anywhere in the city and to places like Ridgedale and Wayzata’s Colonial Square. The city says the rides are typically available in less than 20 minutes when using the app.
“So instead of making reservations days in advance, they can be much more flexible. Then, when they schedule their rides they can pay for their rides right on the app,” explains Plymouth Mayor Jeff Wosje. “It gives you that flexibility plus they can see where the shuttle service is en route, just like Uber does.”
About 60 percent of Plymouth Dial-a-Ride users have used the app, which you can download for free through Google Play or the Apple App store. Other larger transit systems in the state are paying close attention to Plymouth with the thought of having a similar app.
