Case Study: Jersey City achieves affordable, sustainable first-and-last-mile transit with Via

Expanding transit access to an underserved community

Jersey City partnered with Via to launch Via Jersey City after the regional transit authority canceled key bus routes in two underserved neighborhoods. Facing reduced fixed-route service, the city sought a city-controlled, affordable first-and-last-mile option to restore connections to PATH, light rail, and downtown employment centers.

Via implemented an on-demand shared-ride service (Via Jersey City) using electric vehicles, a $2 fare, and a service model that allows trips to or from—but not within—well-served central wards so the service complements existing transit. Via expanded its fleet in September 2020; the service became Via’s fastest-growing U.S. deployment, averaging about 1,200 rides/day (6,000/week), serving over 9,000 unique riders (50% with incomes under $50K, 62% commuting), and in Q4 2020 saved ~2,452 gallons of gasoline, more than 48,000 pounds of CO2, and reduced travel by 53,946 miles.

Jersey City

Steven Fulop

Mayor