VIA - by the Numbers

On December 11, 2019, the VIA pilot program began its third year. As the service area grows, so does the percentage subsidized by the Arlington taxpayers.

The program is heavily subsidized by the Arlington taxpayer (53%) while the riders only cover about 16% of the costs.

VIA's August 2019 Service Update to the city council shows that over 1/3 (37%) of the survey participants thought their experience was POOR or NEEDS IMPROVEMENT!!! [https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/403687/Presentation_-_Via_Rideshare_Update_080619.pdf#page=11].

VIA has expanded to cover 41% of the city, meaning most of the taxpayers have to pay for VIA, but receive no benefit from it. All those taxpayers are subsidizing something that competes against the private sector Lyft and Uber services.

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VIA is what the Arlington City Council decided was needed to waste taxpayers' dollars for a ride-share program.

For VIA to operate its first year, it costs taxpayers $922,500. $600,000 of federal taxpayers' dollars and $322,500 of Arlington taxpayers' dollars.

The second year is expected to cost over $2.1 million, with less than 15% coming from the people that actually use the service (many not even Arlington taxpayers).

Service started on December 11, 2017.

VIA's August 2019 Service Update to the city council shows that over 1/3 (37%) of the survey participants thought their experience was POOR or NEEDS IMPROVEMENT!!!

https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/403687/Presentation_-_Via_Rideshare_Update_080619.pdf#page=11

Revenues of the program will be put back into the program....

* December 2018 financial numbers are split 1/3 old/1st-year contract, and 2/3 new/2nd-year contract.