Rocky Mount considers city-run ridesharing service as alternative to bus routes

Rocky Mount city leaders are considering microtransit as a new way to get around town.

A report reviewed this week by Rocky Mount leaders recommended keeping eight of the city’s busiest bus routes and replacing two of them with microtransit zones where residents could call a city-run rideshare.

“Clearly, the impact of that on our community would be rather significant, particularly for those who have unreliable transportation,” said Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson.

The report found that implementing city-run rideshares could cost more than $24.4 million over a seven-year span.

“We have a number of areas within the city that have a low ridership,” Roberson said. “That creation of microtransit zones would be more appropriate.”