SALEM — The city launched the Salem Skipper rideshare service this week which it hopes can provide affordable transit for Salem residents while reducing traffic and congestion issues.
The Skipper, powered by technology from Via, will provide transportation within the Salem city limits for $2 per ride for the general public and $1 for senior citizens, students, and people with disabilities, with the option to tip drivers.
The Salem Skipper is supported by a Workforce Transit Grant from Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Salem for All Ages initiative.
New riders get their first 10 trips free until February 16.
Riders can hail a ride on their mobile device with the Salem Skipper app, which is available for iPhone and Android. They can then enter a desired pickup and drop-off address to book a ride and will be informed about an estimated pickup time and location, much as they would be when ordering an Uber or Lyft.
As a Salem local, I decided to test the service myself, taking a ride home from the Salem train station on the program’s first night in service.
The app was simple and user-friendly. The driver arrived three minutes after I put in my request, as fast as an Uber pool would have — if not faster.
The inside of the car was also more COVID-19 conscious than an Uber or a Lyft. A plexiglass partition was set between the driver and I.
Despite one wrong turn, the ride was easy, efficient and free.
According to my driver, though, the program had been slow to gain traction. He had only driven three customers all day. Although the van can sit six, I was the only passenger.
Mayor Kim Driscoll hopes that Salem residents will take advantage of the program.
“This is as an opportunity for Salem residents, commuters, and visitors to get around Salem easily and affordably,” said Driscoll, “The Salem Skipper will get you from your home to a doctor’s appointment, from the office to the MBTA Commuter Rail station, from campus to downtown, or anywhere you need to go in Salem without having to worry about parking.”
The pilot program includes four vehicles: two Chrysler Pacificas and two Dodge Caravans, each seating six, though that number will be reduced to three due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Caravans are wheelchair accessible.
Drivers are selected, vetted and trained by Via Transportation.
“We are proud to work with the city of Salem and Mayor Driscoll to introduce an innovative transit solution that provides valuable access to jobs, education, health, and leisure for the community,” said Via CEO and co-founder Daniel Ramot. “Via’s platform has been deployed across the globe to transform and complement existing public transportation networks, and Salem is setting an example for technology-enabled transit in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
The service is available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Guthrie Scrimgeour can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @g_scrimgeour.
