The Routing Company (TRC) announced the successful launch of guaranteed pre-booking in its service partnership with the Martin Luther King Community Center (MLK Center) in Indianapolis.

Deployed by the MLK Center, the Midtown-Get-Around service facilitates low-cost rides in Marion County for residents of the Butler Tarkington, Crown Hill, Mapleton Fallcreek, and Meridian Kessler neighborhoods.

Since automating service through TRC’s Pingo platform in April 2022, the Midtown-Get-Around service has completed nearly 2,500 trips, with over 100 completed rides per week, according to TRC's news release.

Guaranteed pre-booking allows riders to schedule on-demand transit up to 15 days in advance. After riders book their desired time, Pingo technology generates an optimal route for each driver’s shift to ensure passengers are picked up as close to their target time as possible. This feature allows riders the security of weaving guaranteed transit into their daily schedules.

Since guaranteed pre-booking was launched, pre-booked rides on the Midtown-Get-Around have been 100% fulfilled.

“TRC’s partnership with the MLK Center is one we’re especially proud of,” said James Cox, CEO of TRC. “The Midtown-Get-Around offers members of the community affordable transit to job interviews and doctor’s appointments while increasing overall access to the city’s resources. Guaranteed pre-booking adds another layer of convenience to the service it provides. The Pingo platform was made for exactly this purpose: to get people where they need to go conveniently and affordably, while seamlessly integrating into the communities we serve.”

The Midtown-Get-Around offers flexible pay options: riders are able to pay the $2 fare with paper vouchers (available for purchase at the community center) or within the Ride Pingo app. The service runs from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Pingo’s guaranteed pre-booking feature has been a fantastic addition to an already essential service,” said Erin Marshall, community resources director of MLK Center. “Midtown-Get-Around has become a cornerstone of our community members’ daily routines, and TRC’s Pingo platform is uniquely responsive to the needs of our riders while offering unmatched flexibility and reliable service.”