There have been some unforeseen impacts from the city of Sioux City transitioning to the modern convenience of using a mobile app as the way to pay for city transit bus rides.
People who don't have access to computers or without mobile phones can’t use the new system to pay their fare. David Flores, a board member of The Nameless Project, on Monday said that group, through the Mission Mobility program – and about 10 other programs by other nonprofit organizations – have given physical single-ride bus passes to people in need.
Those people use those bus passes to get to work, to court, to carry out medical appointments and to visit friends.
“It has really impacted people,” Flores said.
He said ride sharing firms such as Uber and Lyft in Sioux City do not take passengers from single-ride tickets.
Flores is talking with a city transit official to see what can be done to continue rides not paid via a mobile app.
City officials in January announced the launch of MyRide Sioux City, after partnering with a firm for the fare collection for public transit.
“Riders can now tap to pay their fare when boarding, making journeys faster, easier, and more convenient than ever before,” the release said.
With the new system, Sioux City Transit hoped to attract new riders, including students at Morningside University, Briar Cliff University, and Western Iowa Tech Community College, by offering a more modern, flexible and cost-effective way to travel, Transit Operations Manager Jason Allen said.
