SALISBURY, N.C. — Nearly a dozen communities in North Carolina are getting a boost to improve public transit.
A federal grant program awarded the state $10.4 million to increase mobility and transportation options in rural areas.
The city of Salisbury is on the list, and it plans to use its share of the money to create a quicker way for people to reach their destinations.
It's called microtransit. Riders can schedule a trip on their phone or computer and within minutes a vehicle will show up and take them where they need to go.
A handful of cities in North Carolina, such as Wilson, Durham and Wilmington, already use this service. Salisbury's transit director, Rodney Harris, says it will decrease travel times "tremendously."
"There are some folks who can't afford transportation, so public transportation is their only option," Harris said. "This is an excellent opportunity for us to make sure we are fair and equitable and improve connectivity and mobility."
An organization in town, Rufty-Holme Senior Center, offers a program similar to microtransit.
Mike Donley is a volunteer driver for the center's Cars program. He gives a lift to older adults who don't have a car or can't drive.
"What we provide is really door-to-door service," Donley said. "Meaning from a person's home to an appointment."
Donley also brings people to grocery stores and pharmacies.
"I once had a friend that all of a sudden could no longer drive," Donley said.
Before moving from Louisiana to Salisbury to be closer to his daughter, Donley would drive his friends to appointments and choir practice at church.
"He's gone, but his legacy is he taught me something I enjoy doing," Donley said of his friend.
For someone like Linda Parish, whose other option would be taking the bus, it's what she calls a "blessing."
"I have [tried taking the bus] and walked from one stop all the way to the other and am scared I'm going to miss the bus, and it's just extra stress," she said. "But Mr. Mike... he takes you, and you feel comfortable and safe and get to [my doctor's appointments] on time."
Harris says his department's plan for Salisbury's microtransit pilot project is to replace a bus route that serves part of the city, east Spencer, and Spencer. It will allow anyone who lives nearby to call for a ride instead of relying on a bus schedule.
"To go door to door, what you mean by microtransit, fulfills the need of the senior citizens, the handicapped, all sorts of people," Donely said.
As the city continues to finalize the details of the program, Donely thinks it sounds promising.
"There's going to be a great demand for it," Donely said. "And I'm hoping I'm around to see that happen."
As of February, there is no definitive date for when the city will roll out the microtransit pilot program. Once they do, people who already drive for the city will run those routes.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the state, Charlotte plans to roll out a microtransit pilot program in parts of the city later this year.