From Doorstep to Bus Stop: Ridesharing as a First-Mile/Last-Mile Transit Connection

Since the early 20th century, American transportation culture has centered on the curb-to-curb service of personal, often single occupancy, vehicles, which has contributed to traffic congestion, air pollution, and public health costs. Despite the numerous benefits of public transit—including reduced emissions, lower costs, and increased safety—many individuals remain reliant on personal vehicles, in part because of challenges like the first-mile/last-mile (FMLM) gap. This perspective examines the potential for ridesharing services, such as those provided by Uber and Lyft, as effective FMLM solutions in collaboration with public transit systems. Drawing on case studies from the Federal Transit Administration’s Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Program and current programs in urban, suburban, and rural areas, the perspective explores how public-private partnerships have the potential to enhance multimodal connectivity, reduce barriers to access, and expand service coverage to underserved populations and areas. While further research is needed to assess long-term impacts, early exploration on this topic suggests that thoughtfully designed collaborations hold promise when it comes to enhancing accessibility, connectivity, and the overall effectiveness of public mobility networks.