The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has begun offering Uber vouchers to help people who rely on public transit to get around. The agency has started offering vouchers of up to $5 per ride, with a maximum of two rides per day to transit customers.
These rides must start and stop at a VTA bus or light rail stop and must be ordered through Uber’s mobile app to be eligible for the ride.
Uber is working with the VTA and has “geo-coded” VTA stops into its app.
Only UberX and Uber Share rides count.
Riders must pay the first $2.50 of any ride. Then, the $5 voucher will take effect. VTA says the customer will also pay any additional costs after the $5 voucher.
“We recognize the difficulties our riders are facing due to the transit strike, and we’re committed to offering solutions that can ease their transportation challenges,” said Greg Richardson, VTA Deputy General Manager. “This partnership with Uber reflects our dedication to ensuring mobility for Santa Clara County residents.”
This latest move by VTA comes as the strike by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 enters its third week. Over the weekend, the agency’s Board agreed to an 11% pay raise spread out over three years. The increases would be 4%, 4% and 3%. A condition of approval was that the union “reduce absenteeism to guarantee reliability of service.”
On Monday, 83% of VTA workers voted to turn down the latest offer.
Shortly after the vote, the VTA issued the following statement: “VTA has put forward a more than fair proposal that ensures employees receive competitive pay and strong benefits for themselves and their families.”
VTA says it remains at the bargaining table.
The ATU Local 265 began striking on March 10. It represents over 1,500 VTA employees, including bus and light rail operators, maintenance staff, dispatchers, fare inspectors and customer service representatives.
