- First U.S. public-private collaboration
brings together a major U.S. transit system, an automaker and an
urban technology company to enhance existing mass transit by
providing greater mobility options to residents of Kansas City
- Ford is exclusive vehicle provider for
Ride KC: Bridj because of its commitment to developing smarter
transportation systems through its Ford Smart Mobility plan
- By improving access to jobs, one-year
pilot program will be a catalyst for social and economic
opportunity
Kansas City commuters will be first in the nation to test a
unique solution for increased urban mobility.
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The Ride KC: Bridj pilot program will use
a fleet of Ford Transit vans to augment and serve as a gateway to
other forms of transit. Many pick-up locations will be at bus stops
and areas served by existing Kansas City transit and bike-share
systems. (Photo: Business Wire)
Urban technology company Bridj is teaming up with the Kansas
City Area Transportation Authority to launch Ride KC: Bridj – a
pilot program using a network of locally built Ford Transit vans to
provide a new way to access areas of Kansas City that are rich in
jobs and housing.
This transformative program is the first U.S. public-private
partnership that brings together a major U.S. transit agency, an
automaker and an urban technology company with the aim of enhancing
Kansas City’s existing mass transit system by providing greater
access and mobility to residents.
“Today, we are bringing another transit option to the region
with the introduction of microtransit,” said Robbie Makinen, KCATA
president and CEO. “By combining the intelligence of Bridj
technology with capable and flexible Ford Transit vehicles, we are
creating a seamless and borderless transportation network for our
residents that is easy to use, comfortable and affordable.”
Ride KC: Bridj is scheduled to launch in early March. Powered by
billions of data points, Bridj’s platform determines where riders
want to go and how to get them there most efficiently. Using the
Bridj mobile app, riders can request on-demand shuttle service that
they can access via pop-up shuttle stations.
“Bridj is thrilled to be the urban technology platform for Ride
KC: Bridj,” said Matt George, CEO of Bridj. “Modernizing urban
infrastructure will be the single greatest technology challenge of
our time, and this pilot is part of the solution by significantly
extending the current capabilities of Kansas City’s mass transit
system.”
Ford is the exclusive vehicle provider for Ride KC: Bridj
because of its commitment to enabling urban mobility through its
Ford Smart Mobility plan.
“Our goal is to make people’s lives better by changing the way
the world moves,” said Erica Klampfl, global mobility solutions
manager, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. “The Ford Smart
Mobility plan supports our commitment to innovation, and is aimed
specifically at developing smarter mobility services. We are
excited that Ford Transit was selected for Ride KC: Bridj because
this is one of many projects that will help us gain insights into
what works and develop smarter, more connected mobility solutions
and service-oriented products.”
Ten Ford Transit passenger vans built at Kansas City Assembly
Plant will stay close to home, becoming the network of shuttles in
the pilot program. The fleet of high-roof, long-wheelbase Transit
vans with available 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost® engines will be modified
with a custom 14-passenger seating layout and custom-installed
large running board for passenger convenience. Bright logos on the
sides will make for easy visibility.
Ford Transit is America’s best-selling commercial van, offering
58 configurations from the factory and even more customization
potential through a network of upfitters – many of which are
located near Kansas City Assembly Plant. Ford Motor Credit Company
is supporting the one-year pilot with financing through its
municipal lease finance program.
After an extensive review process, KCATA was chosen by Bridj as
the first transit agency to participate in the pilot. KCATA is an
attractive partner due to its commitment to innovation and to
establishing collaborations that connect people to opportunities.
Kansas City is frequently found on “best of” lists for technology,
arts, entrepreneurship and places for young people to live.
Bridj also operates in Boston and Washington, D.C. However, Ride
KC: Bridj is the first program being implemented in direct
collaboration with a transit agency and with Ford as exclusive
vehicle provider.
“Bridj will be an empowering tool that will offer one more
option to make it easier for people to get around,” said KCATA’s
Makinen. “KCATA is a place where bus, bike, streetcar and rapid
transit come together to create a seamless and borderless
transportation network that’s easy and friendly to use. Bridj will
be a valuable addition to Kansas City’s mix of transportation
options.”
The one-year pilot program initially will include downtown
Kansas City, the near east and west sides, Hospital Hill, Crown
Center, portions of Midtown, University of Kansas Medical Center
and the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz district. It will augment and
serve as a gateway to other forms of transit as many pick-up
locations will be at bus stops and areas served by existing Kansas
City transit and bike-share systems. Additional routes will be
added based on rider demand as identified through Bridj
technology.
“Only 18 percent of jobs in the Kansas City region are
accessible within 90 minutes when using existing mass transit
options,” said Bridj’s George, citing figures from the Brookings
Institute. “By improving access to jobs, Ride KC: Bridj is a
catalyst for social and economic opportunity, and an example of
what is possible when cities adopt technological innovation and
work in collaboration with private entities to create a truly
modern city.”
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company
based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 199,000 employees and 67
plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of
Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as
Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively
pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the
company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous
vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. For more
information regarding Ford, its products worldwide or Ford Motor
Credit Company, visit www.corporate.ford.com.
About Bridj
Bridj is a leading urban technology company, based in Boston,
MA. Founded in 2013, Bridj has designed and deployed the world’s
first smart urban logistics platform, which uses big data, mobile
technology, and pattern learning to provide a shuttle network that
responds to the city’s demand patterns. Bridj has been widely
recognized as the most prominent US based startup working on
creating smart infrastructure in cities.
About Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is dedicated to
connecting people to opportunities throughout the Greater Kansas
City metropolitan region. Created in 1965 through special state
legislative action in both Missouri and Kansas, the KCATA today
operates a fleet of more than 270 Metro buses providing more than
15 million annual customer trips.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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Ford Motor CompanyJessica
Enoch313.594.7933jenoch@ford.comorBridjJamie Drogin
Lehman917.312.9037jamie.lehman@teneostrategy.comorKCATACindy
Baker816.346.0209cbaker@kcata.org
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