What if your bus route was as flexible as a taxi cab company? In Boston, Massachusetts, one luxury bus company might be doing just that, for just a few more dollars than what the regular T ride would cost.
It’s the first “pop-up” bus service of its kind, and it’s scheduled to start pickups this May with several commuter routes in Boston, Cambridge and Brookline. Founder Matthew George, just 23 years old, wanted to create a “living, breathing” system of public transport that would fit in with the modern world. His bus line, called Bridj, is set to use online data to figure out where areas of peak demand are each day, allowing it to adjust schedules accordingly.
The Next Step in Public Transport?
Although Bridj will be more expensive than the MBTA bus at $5 to $8 per trip, interest is already blooming for this tech-friendly routing system. Bridj is set to have leather seats, complimentary snacks, and high-speed Wi-Fi to keep passengers comfortable. Years ago, the concept might have seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream. With the rise of services like Zipcar and Uber, however, it’s becoming clear that people are looking for the next step in public transport.
Bridj’s Key Demographic
The key demographic for Bridj is young, tech-savvy people who don’t own their own cars. This is common in Boston — approximately 45% of people between the ages of 18 and 34 lack their own vehicle. “What if you could redesign a system that has been relatively stagnant and hasn’t changed in 100 years?” George asks, and it’s likely that many potential riders are interested in knowing whether Bridj is the answer.
Your Current Options for Group Transport
Bridj is a great concept, but it will be a long time before a service like this hits most cities. How can you get around when you have somewhere to go with your group?
- Large passenger vans are capable of seating up to 36 people, and can be either rented or bought depending on how long you plan to use them for.
- Both Zipcar and Uber are good for very small groups. These car services allow you to rent out cars on a day-by-day or hour-by-hour basis using their apps and swipe cards.
- Minibuses are good for transporting about eight to 30 people. Small buses are a popular option for use as church buses.
Have you used small buses? What do you think of Bridj? Let us know in the comments. For more information see this.
