UCHRA And Uber Partner To Provide On Demand Transportation In Cookeville

A new way of arranging transportation with UCHRA is coming this summer through the means of an app.

Transportation Director Holly Montooth said the agency has partnered with Uber Technologies for the on demand transportation service called, “Pick Up UC.”

“We are in the developmental stages,” Montooth said. “We hope to have this rolled out by late August. We are very excited for the service, because it will be able to provide service after the normal hours of transportation, and we will be able to offer it on Saturdays and Sundays.”

Montooth said the three year pilot program will only be available in Cookeville. Montooth said the agency wants to extend the service to other communities if it is successful.

“We’re looking at it like a convenience just to be able to provide a greater service to our residents,” Montooth said. “And then also, we really hope it will be utilized by people who need maybe that second shift transportation.”

Montooth said the service will be available through the UBER app. After selecting the function, Montooth said Pick Up UC will be an option in the interface.

“We have a scheduling software, which is called Route Match,” Montooth said. “Uber Technologies actually bought Route Match. So, UBER is actually delving into the world of public transportation and getting more to our side of the world as opposed to theirs. So, they have reached out to us actually and offered this on demand service.”

Montooth said UCHRA was awarded a grant last year to fund the pilot program. Montooth said normal transportation hours are Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.