Capital Metro is trying a new ride-hailing service called Pickup in Austin’s Mueller and Windsor Park neighborhoods that will be free for the duration of the pilot program. The on-demand service begins June 6 and will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m-6 p.m. The service will transport riders to destinations in a predetermined area, such as the Mueller H-E-B, Target, Luby’s, Walmart, Reagan High School and the Austin Public Library St. John Branch. Capital Metro chose the area because of its diversity of race, incomes, people with disabilities and ages, spokesperson Mariette Hummel said. To hail a ride, riders can either call ahead or request service through the agency’s Pickup mobile app—or schedule a pick-up time in advance. The pilot program will last six to 12 months and riders will not have to pay for service. “Because it’s a pilot, we’re trying to see how it’s used,” Hummel said. “Are kids going to use it? Are people going to the library?” Capital Metro staffers will then analyze data on ridership, passengers per hour, cost per passenger, response time, app downloads and customer feedback to see if Pickup could be used in other parts of Austin. Other locations would likely be in areas where fixed-route bus service is currently not available and Pickup could transport residents to a bus stop or rail station in Capital Metro’s service area, Hummel said. “If it’s measured as a success, other flexible service might be offered elsewhere,” she said. Ride-hailing service similar to that offered by Uber and Lyft had been discussed as part of the planning for Capital Metro’s Connections 2025 five-year service plan. The agency targeted six areas to become Innovation Zones to explore alternative forms of transportation, including ride-hailing, which might be a better fit than traditional bus service. Pickup replaces a flexible bus route Capital Metro had been testing in this area. That services ends May 27 and had only been offered Thursdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with a two-hour advance notice.