Seeking to create a mobile, bikeable and walkable commuter-friendly campus in the Boston area, WeDriveU helped this client fulfill its transportation vision to create “an open, permeable, and exciting campus for the community” with shuttles serving 300,000+ passengers.
Challenges
- Attract commuters to campus from a 60-mile radius
- Link MBTA public transit stops off-campus
- Connect a sprawling 29-acre property with limited parking and ongoing expansion
Solution
Operated by WeDriveU on a historic property it purchased from Harvard, the system of last mile, intercampus and parking shuttles enhances convenience and enjoyment for commuters on- and off-campus.
- Last Mile, intercampus and parking shuttles
- On-demand rides home
- Mobile trip planning app
- Digital wayfinding displays throughout campus with real-time rail, ferry and transit bus schedules, traffic conditions and weather
- Complimentary amenities such as car sharing, bike sharing and storage when shuttle passengers arrive on campus
Results
The organization’s collaborative planning approach reflects public-private partnership success involving WeDriveU, elected officials, community organizations, transit agencies, transportation associations, local businesses and technology innovators.
Here’s a look at the program’s impact in the few short years since it launched:
- 330,000 riders since WeDriveU’s program launched in 2015
- 170,000 annual boardings, a 25%+ increase from 2016
- 350-400 fewer drive-alone vehicles
- 40% increase in ridership year-over-year
- Removed 1,551,813 lbs of CO2 in 2016
- Low cost-per rider – 200% less than ridesharing options according to analysis by the client’s sustainability/transportation leaders
This award-winning WeDriveU commuter program is fulfilling the vision of the campus’ 10 year master plan, earning national distinction among 2018 Best Workplaces for Commuters, 2018 and 2017 Massachusetts “ECO Award for Sustainable Transportation” and the 2016 “Transportation Champion” award from the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT). The client’s last mile case study was also featured at the 2017 MassDOT “Moving Together” conference.