The terms of the deal, presented during City Council's Oct. 6 meeting, state that customers in Kyle would pay the first $3.14 of an Uber ride from any point to any other point, as long as the ride starts and ends in the city of Kyle.
The new program, which customers would utilize through both the city of Kyle's app and the Uber app, will subsidize rides for up to an additional $10, and then customers will be responsible for the remainder of any cost beyond $13.14.
Mayor Pro Tem Rick Koch said the plan has been in the works since 2018.
"The need for a transportation plan had been talked about for a while among other council members," Koch said, adding that a prior transportation with Capitol Area Rural Transportation System in 2015 was too costly and ended by council, as was another subsequent plan. "It seemed like the cost per ride was not worth it, but the need was still there."
The Kyle Uber $3.14 program will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and information from the city states customers do not need to be Kyle residents to utilize the program. The only requirements are that the user be 18 years or older and have a smartphone and an active Uber account.
The program also offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles through UberWAV for the same cost parameters, according to information from the city.
"Uber is our partner on this ... this is our primary and sole public transportation alternative," said Jerry Hendrix, chief of staff for the city of Kyle.
Katie Civgin, client success manager at Uber, said she and her team are excited to partner with Kyle for the program.
According to Sam Armbruster, director of communications for the city of Kyle, the city's Uber Kyle $3.14 budget is $150,000 for the 2020-21 fiscal year, and the program goes into effect Oct. 7. Armbruster said the program will be reviewed as part of the 2021-22 budget.
"This is such a perfectly tailored program for out city," Mayor Travis Mitchell said. "Thank you to Uber for being willing to work with us on this."
How it works:
- Download the Uber App and create an account, or make sure the existing account is up to date.
- Download the city of Kyle app and select Uber $3.14.
- Select Get Voucher, enter information and then Accept Voucher.
- Once accepted, the discount will appear above the Confirm button on the Uber app.
- Riders are issued one monthly voucher that is valid for eight one-way trips.
