TransLoc, an emerging technology development firm focused on transportation applications, is teaming with Uber to help public transit riders plan trips and then get an Uber rider to final destinations.
In a blog post, Uber hailed the agreement as a “first” for transportation.
“This milestone seeks to combine the best of private transportation and public transit for truly integrated mobility. By integrating the Uber API into the TransLoc Rider app, riders will be able to incorporate multiple modes of transportation, including public transit, into their commutes,” Uber said.
“Together with TransLoc, we hope to bridge the gap by delivering the certainty and reliability that riders need to complete their entire trip in a way that has never been done before. Our integration with Transloc takes a first-of-its-kind approach, by creating a seamless connection between Uber and public transit so that more people can easily access it.”
The Triangle is one of first two markets for the service where Uber and TransLoc will work with GoTriangle.
End-to-end route planning
The agreement will help riders incorporate different modes of travel into end-to-end route planning, the companies say.
“Our mission is to take public transit from last resort for some, to first choice for all. The partnership with Uber will help advance us toward this goal,” said Doug Kaufman, CEO of TransLoc, in Monday’s announcement of the deal, “and make public transit a viable option for everyone, not just people who live close to a transit stop.”
In an interview with WRAL TechWire, a GoTriangle executive said the TransLoc-Uber partnership could solve the “last mile” problem facing public transit riders – getting to the final destination.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Uber is an increasingly popular ride-sharing service in the Research Triangle and across North Carolina. It recently struck a formal agreement with RDU International Airport for service there, and the company also has agreed to meet regulation requirements as passed by the North Carolina General Assembly. Uber was part of the negotiations in creating the recently passed state law.
TransLoc, has a growing list of partners in public transportation, drew praise from Uber after being selected for the deal.
“Uber’s partnership with TransLoc – a company founded and developed in the Triangle – is a tribute to the phenomenal entrepreneurial scene that has blossomed there,” said Arathi Mehrotra, General Manager for Uber NC. “We’re proud to be part of it and pleased to be helping many of those startup go-getters get to where they’re going.”
Uber, Lyft seeking partners
The TransLoc deal and the partnership with GoTriangle signify Uber’s efforts to “find allies” among public transit agencies, according to Reuters. Lyft, which is Uber’s big rival, also wants partnerships. Both want to establish that it is cheaper to use public transportation and ride services than to own and drive a car, Reuters noted.
Is it? “A transportation study by the statistical analysis media site FiveThirtyEight showed that completing 85 percent of trips on public transit and 15 percent with Uber roughly equaled the cost of car ownership,” the news service said.
But in the TransLoc-Uber announcement, the head of the American Public Transportation Association, contributed a statement of support.
“Such partnerships will enhance the attractiveness of public transportation,” said Michael Melaniphy.
Taxis next for TransLoc?
TransLoc does “not yet” work with taxi companies or other private transportation providers, a company spokesperson told WRAL TechWire.
“At this time we are focused on the Uber integration, but as we will continue to explore adding other modalities as we move toward a more multimodal transportation,” the spokesperson said.
How deal works
The deal integrates Uber’s own ride-sharing technology as well as the “Rider” app from TransLoc.
According to TransLoc, the agreement will help transit riders solve what it calls the “First-mile/last-mile challenge,” i.e. getting to a transit departure location and then completing the trip to a final destination. The app “instantly” plans routes for users.
“Together, TransLoc and Uber hope to bridge the gap by delivering the certainty and reliability that riders need to complete their entire trip in a way that has never been done before,” the companies said.
GoTriangle in RTP and the Memphis Area Transit Authority will launch the integrated service in mid-February.
Why launch so early in RTP?
“TransLoc has been working with GoTriangle since 2011,” a TransLoc spokesperson told WRAL TechWire. “They are a great partner, very progressive. GoTriangle is always looking for ways to better serve the rider with technology.”
Learn more about TransLoc and its apps at:
