Economy
Uber and Public Transit Are Trying to Get Along
Emerging partnerships hold promise for reducing car-reliance, but they raise questions about who’s winning out in the deal.
Uber isn't known for working peacefully with cities. Case in point: pretty much everywhere it's ever launched a new service. But the e-hail cab company seems to be making an effort with public transportation agencies in the U.S., at least if a few early partnerships are any indication.
In Dallas, DART riders can now access Uber via the agency’s mobile ticketing app, a program intended to simplify connections at transit stations. A similar smartphone union has emerged between Uber and MARTA in Atlanta. Transit agencies in Los Angeles and Minneapolis now cover Uber trips as part of their “guaranteed ride home” programs, which reimburse regular commuters who need to travel outside rush hour for an emergency.