There’s a sparky new electric vehicle in Eugene, and passengers will soon be able to ride it for free.
EmGo is a five-passenger, “on demand” ride service designed to help ease congestion downtown. LTD worked with Lane County and the City of Eugene to find solutions for the lack of parking.
Mark Johnson, LTD’s Assistant General Manager, asks, “If we can get people on the bus, get them downtown, and give them a free ride anywhere they want to go, can we change people’s thought process about how they move around?”
The EmGo service works with an app, similar to Uber or Lyft, at 70 designated stops. It’s part of a three-year LTD plan that also includes electric buses, e-passes, and potential partnerships with other ride- and bike-share services. The one-year EmGo trial period starts Monday, August 26th and is paid for by funds from the state. Officials believe it’s the first service of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
Note: The Lane Council of Governments is also a partner with LTD, the City of Eugene and Lane County in the EmGo project.