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SouthWest Transit pioneering Uber-like public service
The agency launched Prime, as the service is called, in July 2015 with the idea of helping passengers complete the “last-mile commute."

SouthWest Transit photo via Facebook

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — After launching its Uber-style door-to-door on-demand service nearly two years ago, SouthWest Transit is seeing its popularity surge, reported the Star Tribune.
The agency launched Prime, as the service is called, in July 2015 with the idea of helping passengers complete the “last-mile commute,” the report said. It has since expanded its fleet of 12-passenger vans from three to 11 as the service has caught on.
In August more than 5,300 riders used the service and since then monthly ridership has continued to top 4,200 people, which has led SouthWest Transit to look at developing a partnership with Lyft to provide transportation on nights and weekends, according to the Star Tribune.
For the full story, click here.
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