MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – A brand new rideshare program that launched in Milwaukee Monday, Feb. 7, hopes to give people higher entry to jobs in the suburbs.
FlexRide Milwaukee helps people who take metropolis buses get to their jobs extra simply.
“There’s people that take the bus to the end of the line or to a stop near their employer, and they have to walk a mile to get there,” Eric Lynde mentioned.
That’s the place FlexRide Milwaukee is attempting to assist. Eric Lynde with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission mentioned the hope is to connect people in Milwaukee to good jobs in Waukesha County. Depending on the place you want to go, the rides are both free or $1.50.
“It’s an app similar to an Uber or Lyft,” Lynde mentioned. “All the flex ride vehicles are labeled on the side with the FlexRide Milwaukee logo. All riders background checked, screened.”
Once you get dropped off on the bus cease, you can log into your app and request a experience to your job location.
“The app will tell you how long it will take for your driver to reach you and you can actually follow their path as they get to you,” Lynde mentioned.
You can solely request a experience from these 5 MCTS shuttle places proper now:
- Woodman’s/Sam’s Club
- Lovers Lane/ Silver Spring
- Sherman Phoenix
- Midtown Center
- Silver Spring Neighborhood Center
From there, you’ll be able to request a experience to take you to one of the 11 employer places out in Waukesha County.
“Our region doesn’t have such type of service that can efficiently transport them across the county boundary,” Lingqian Ivy Hu mentioned.
UW Milwaukee professor Lingqian Ivy Hu had the concept to begin FlexRide. She utilized for a $1 million grant via The National Science Foundation. You do have to be accepted in order to use the app.
“The funding supports five vehicles for 16 hours a day,” Hu mentioned.
Hu mentioned the grant cash will probably be good for the subsequent 9 months. After the pilot program ends, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is taking a look at taking it on.
“The eligibility requirements, you have to be a city of Milwaukee resident and have a job or be interested in working in the Menomonee Falls or Butler area,” Hu mentioned.
Amanda Payne, with the Waukesha County Business Alliance, mentioned anybody in Milwaukee who works or is searching for work in Waukesha County ought to apply. At least 70 people have been accepted to this point.
“Great potential solution for health care, manufacturing and lots of those positions,” Payne mentioned.
If you prefer to to apply to use FlexRide, click on right here.