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Bastrop commuters can now utilize on-demand ride services from Capital Area Rural Transportation System, or CARTS, citywide after a June 9 expansion.
Officials said the service, known as CARTS Now, improves access to jobs, shopping, medical care and more, with further transportation programs under consideration.
In a nutshell
The expansion stems from a partnership between city officials and CARTS aimed at providing service to all Bastrop residents, according to a news release.
“This expanded zone improves access across a broader area of the city, connecting residents to essential destinations with affordable, on-demand rides,” said Dana Platt, CARTS community engagement coordinator.
What they’re saying
“It is partnerships like this that enhance the quality of life for our citizens in a very tangible way,” Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino said in the news release, noting that many residents use the CARTS on-demand services for medical appointments, shopping, jobs and more.
Some context
Platt said the update follows the conclusion of the North Bastrop pilot, formed to create a cohesive zone based on the needs of Bastrop residents.
Other flexible transportation options are in the works as Bastrop City Council considers further ridesharing transportation expansions, including one with Uber. Carrillo-Trevino said she is working with CARTS and Uber to develop a pilot program and its potential budgetary impacts.
If approved, the city could enter into an agreement with Uber, called Uber for Business, to implement a voucher program for residents. This would allow officials to determine the number of rides that are subsidized through the program, according to city documents.
