Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

West Sacramento Launches On-Demand Ride Hailing Program With Mercedes Vans

  •  Steve Milne 
Monday, May 14, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
download audio
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Courtesy of City of West Sacramento

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon today announced the launch of a new on-demand ride sharing service - a partnership with New York based-company Via.

Courtesy of City of West Sacramento

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon announced the debut of a new on-demand ridesharing service on Monday.

"Today, we launched kind of the love child between Uber and Lyft style ride-share plus public transit," Cabaldon said.

The mayor claims that the program will be the first of its kind of any city in the country. "We've got 10 Mercedes vans that are roaming the streets of the city and folks in the community can hail a ride via smartphone or by phone call, on demand," he explained.

The city has launched a yearlong pilot program with the New York-based ride-hailing company Via thanks to grants from CalTrans and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.

Cabaldon says the goal is to reduce congestion, help clean up the air and save money on gas and parking.

He says another reason West Sacramento launched the program is because traditional bus service in in the city doesn't do well outside of high-density, urban corridors.

"Sending a 45-person bus snaking through the suburban parts of our city, or even some of the older neighborhoods of the city, doesn't pan out," he said, adding that residents have to wait long times for a bus to arrive, walk far to stops, and talk longer journeys "because it's snaking all over the place."

Rides inside the city start at $3.50, or $1.75 for seniors.

"We're able to achieve these lower fares, compared to an Uber or Lyft ride, because it's a system rather than trying to connect private drivers to private rides," Cabaldon explains. "Also we're using 10 Mercedes vans that Via owns - they are employees of Via that are doing the driving. But the grant helps to keep that cost down."

 Most riders will be picked up within 500 feet of their starting point. The Mercedes-Benz vans can carry six-passengers.

People can book rides by calling (916) 318-5101 or by using the Via app.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 transportationwest sacramentoride-sharing

Steve Milne

Morning Edition Anchor & Reporter

Steve is the Morning Edition anchor for Capital Public Radio. He covers stories on a wide range of topics including: business, education, real estate, agriculture and music.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo

California church shooter was motivated by hate for Taiwanese people, officials say

May 16, 2022

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File

Sacramento-area schools seeing rise in COVID-19 cases, but don’t plan to require masks again

May 17, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Sacramento City Unified will end current school year on time after extension talks stall

May 19, 2022

Most Viewed

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

California coronavirus updates: Nevada ends COVID-19 emergency declarations

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

California coronavirus updates: Nevada ends COVID-19 emergency declarations

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.