Anyone living in or visiting Highlands Ranch can now reserve a ride anywhere within the metro district and neighboring Lone Tree – for free.
That's right, free shuttle rides anywhere in Highlands Ranch.
On Tuesday, Douglas County commissioners and community members gathered at a Highlands Ranch park to launch its newest $2.9 million micro-transit initiative, called “Link on Demand” with Via Transportation.
“It's really significant, especially for those with a limited income, or those who may be a little bit older not driving anymore,” Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon said on who the service benefits the most, adding it notably helps those who need to see a doctor or get prescriptions.
For the past decade, anyone in neighboring Lone Tree could reserve a ride through a phone call, or on the phone application, to catch a free lift anywhere within boundaries. Now, the service has expanded into all of Highlands Ranch, meaning Link on Demand services there will interconnect with all of Highlands Ranch and Acres Green.
“Our contribution to expanding (Link on Demand), we think, will pay for itself,” Laydon said, promising the service will drive tax revenue by transporting people to businesses and services within the county.
Those seeking a ride can simply download the Via app on their smartphone, plug in the pick up and drop off locations, select any special features (such as wheelchair accessible vehicles), then request a “journey proposal.”
Via's service is rideshare-based and will pick up other riders along the way if within the requested route. Ride wait times vary and average around 20 minutes, according to Via officials.
“It's something that I think Highlands Ranch has, frankly, been jealous of Lone Tee for some time now,” Douglas County Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle, who represents the Highlands Ranch Metro District, told The Denver Gazette during his first ride inside a Link on Demand vehicle.
“And for the people of Highlands Ranch to just have a free, basically Uber Lyft to take them, to pick them up, take them to that, to wherever they want to go in the community, is huge,” Van Winkle said.
Douglas County’s program is similar to Denver’s $6 million city-operated micro transit operation in west Denver neighborhoods. Denver’s “high demand” micro transit offers SUV transport anywhere within its boundaries.
Like Lone Tree and Denver’s program, Douglas County will operate on a fixed schedule:
Jacqueline Rodriguez said she has driven for Via Link on Demand for over a year.
“The reason I did this is because I have an adult special needs son,” Rodriguez said. “This gives him so much freedom because he can’t drive. Now he can get to work this way.”
“This is great to be out and be social,” she added.
Today, Via operates 24 total Linked on Demand vehicles between Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree, with a possibility of expanding the number of vehicles if the demand calls for it, according to Via Colorado Partnerships Principal Min Ji.
“It's actually one of our longest standing and most successful programs,” Ji said of Link on Demand, telling The Denver Gazette “what we're focused on is delivering a great service, no matter which community we're a part of.”
Douglas County commissioners expressed interest in expanding free micro-transit ride services throughout the county, or beyond.
In the next 10 years, Van Winkle said, “maybe we connect the northern part of the county and then see how Castle Rock and Castle Pines want to play.”
Regardless, the over 100,000 residents in Highlands Ranch can now embrace its free micro-transit option for years to come.