The City of Valdosta is pleased to announce the success of the Valdosta On-Demand Pilot Program, which launched on July 1st, 2024. The program was implemented in response to citizen concerns regarding the availability of vehicles.  

Valdosta On-Demand, in partnership with its TransitTech provider Via, addressed these issues, resulting in a significant improvement in service without additional costs to citizens or the city. 

Public Works Director Larry Ogden shared that the pilot program has been successful, with a 21.5% increase in completed rides, totaling 9,609 rides in July. Due to the July 4th holiday, Via is confident that the total number of rides could have surpassed 10,000 for the month. Additionally, the program saw a 6% improvement in overall efficiency, highlighting its effectiveness in meeting the transportation needs of Valdosta’s community.

Based on the program’s success, the City of Valdosta has decided not to return to the previous “pre-booking” request option. Valdosta On-Demand will continue to operate solely as an on-demand service, providing greater flexibility and convenience for users. 

“The success of this pilot program demonstrates our commitment to addressing the concerns of our citizens,” Ogden said. “We look forward to the continued growth and improvement of Valdosta On-Demand.” 

The shift to an exclusively on-demand service brings several benefits to Valdosta On-Demand riders. More rides will be available to more people as vehicles are no longer reserved for pre-booked rides, increasing the number of vans accessible in real-time.  

This change also leads to reduced wait times, as the service can operate more efficiently without the constraints of pre-booking. Additionally, ride management becomes easier for users, who can now book a ride when and where they need to go without having to follow pre-set pickup windows or contact customer support if plans change.  

Valdosta On-Demand remains committed to providing a high-quality transit service that meets the needs of all residents, including offering wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAV) for those who need them. 

This transition to on-demand rides underscores that commitment and reflects the strong support from the city council.