With revolutionary commuting ideas on the forefront, and many already implemented, established transit/transportation companies and startups alike aim to improve the overall commuting experience and solve the “first mile, last mile” problem for everyday commuters. Electric scooters, rideshare cars, and dockfree bikes are a few examples of the innovative transportation solutions many cities have implemented, granting residents a fun and unique way to get to where they’re going.
But while these excursion-like transportation methods are fun, what exactly is the “first mile, last mile” problem they aim to solve and what are the current points of contention?
Defining the “First Mile, Last Mile”
The “last mile” is a term used in supply chain management and transportation, describing the movement of goods from a transportation hub to the final destination. In commuting terms, it alludes to the problem which public transit users often face: the symbolic distance between a commuter’s transit stop and his or her home.
Most people in the United States claim to be “comfortable” walking less than ¼ mile, a number public transit consultant Jarrett Walker defines as the standard in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Transit experts claim solving the “first mile, last mile” problem is the key to boosting use of transit ridership, which would give commuters the ability to utilize an inexpensive method of transportation to bridge the gap of the remaining, metaphorical, ¾ mile.
What Apps & Services are Available?
In recent years, and even months, established transit/transportation companies and a myriad startup companies have invested in solving this problem:
Bird
Bird, the self-proclaimed “reliable last mile electric scooter rental service”, provides users with a fun way to get from point A to point B, although legally-required helmets must be requested, or run you the risk of receiving a citation.
Uber’s Jump
Uber’s partnership with JUMP to enable bike rentals directly from the Uber app; although currently only available in San Francisco.
Ofo
Ofo claims to be the world’s first and largest station-free bike sharing platform, requiring users to download the app in order to unlock bikes and go to their destination.
LimeBike
Similar to Ofo, using the dockfree, e-assist bikes and electric scooters requires use of the LimeBike app, but the freedom to ride wherever.
Corporate Company Courtesy Shuttles
Big time tech companies in the Bay Area, such as Facebook, Google, Apple, Issi, and Yahoo!, employ courtesy shuttles to help employees get to and from work, often offering amenities such as snacks and free wifi.
Chariot
Chariot, in the process of being purchased by auto juggernaut Ford Motor Company, is a commuter shuttle service designed to build routes based off crowdsourced locations.
Uber
Often deemed the original peer-to-peer ridesharing app, Uber has captured the market for this niche for nearly 10 years, but with thousands of car accidents and numerous alleged sexual assaults stemming from their drivers (as well as Lyft’s drivers), the company’s safety policy has been scrutinized in recent years.
Lyft
Founded in 2012, Lyft provides on-demand transportation for commuters and travelers alike. Like Uber, Lyft has been in the wake of continuing criticism of their drivers, threatening passenger safety in regards to traffic collisions, physical violence, and sexual assaults.
Points of Contention with “First Mile, Last Mile” Solutions
While the influx of solutions to the “first mile, last mile” problem have risen with the innovation of technology, some have sparked controversy and concerns from city governments for being a personal injury and public safety nightmare.
Santa Monica recently organized an ordinance to restrict Bird Scooter usage to private property as they have become a severe pedestrian hazard when users illegally ride on sidewalks. Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego have also shared this concern, noting commuters riding scooters are in danger by not wearing a helmet (not included in the rental of Bird, despite the fact it is illegal to ride without one), zooming at speeds up to 22 MPH in pedestrian-heavy walkways.
But Bird isn’t alone: station-free bike rentals have also stirred the pot with their “ditch anywhere” appeal. Users leaving bikes in high traffic areas can cause pedestrian accidents, clogging up heavily-used sidewalks and standing as a trip and fall hazard for distracted pedestrians.
Ridesharing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, appear to satisfy remote community’s needs due to their “go anywhere” capability, although studies have found they actually make city traffic worse and often used as a separate mode of transit altogether (instead of acting as “first mile, last mile” substitute).
The Future of Commuting
In addition to the products and services above, self-driving cars have been a well-discussed solution to commuting, spurring considerable interest yet scrutiny as companies work out the final kinks in their algorithms. Most recently, Uber’s autonomous car and Tesla’s semi-autonomous autopilot setting have been under intense fire as a pedestrian and driver, respectively, lost their lives, begging the question, who is responsible when self-driving cars are involved in a car accident?
This being said, experts estimate in roughly 10 years, self-driving cars will be the norm. In fact, The Atlantic, in conjunction with consulting firm McKinsey & Co., estimate self-driving cars could reduce fatal car accidents by 90%, paving the way for safer roads and eradicating the “first mile, last mile” problem altogether.
While America’s innovation in the transit and transportation realms will continue to soar as technology progresses, so will the concern for keeping Americans safe on their daily commutes, especially those finding the perfect solution to the “first mile, last mile” problem.