On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Houston’s City Council approved $281,000 out of the general fund beginning December 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024, to continue the RYDE program operations in the Third Ward and with this contract, will expand the initiative into the Second Ward, one of Houston’s Complete Communities.
About RYDE
The RYDE program in the Third Ward is a testament to community collaboration and inclusivity, underscoring RYDE and Evolve’s commitment to eliminating transportation barriers with sustainable, zero-emission solutions. With funding from Evolve Houston’s eMobility Microgrant Initiative, RYDE launched its pilot, no-cost, all-electric rideshare service in June 2023, which initially was designed for residents at a senior living center, but the rideshare quickly evolved into an asset serving the entire Third Ward. Shortly after its launch, Council Member Carolyn Evans-Shabazz and the District D office provided the program invaluable support which allowed for an extension of the pilot program due to its immense impact on the community.
This program delivers all-electric micro-transit solutions for Third Ward residents, addressing inter-community transportation needs. The on-demand app facilitates rides across the coverage area, connecting residents and visitors of the Third Ward to vital destinations such as grocery stores, transit hubs, education, health clinics, food banks, churches, daycares, schools, and more.
Currently, RYDE operates exclusively in the Third Ward with only two all-electric Polaris Gem EVs from 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays and has exceeded expectations by serving over 5,000 passengers through over 3,700 trips since June. This achievement, averaging over 1,000 passengers monthly, is accomplished entirely without the consumption of a single gallon of gasoline.
Charging Forward
By bridging Third Ward’s mobility gap, RYDE has proven to be a catalyst for positive change in the Third Ward and Evolve is excited to launch the service with 2 additional Polaris Gem EVs in the Second Ward, one of Houston's Complete Communities, starting December 4, 2023. Evolve is proud to partner with RYDE to use EV technology to meet community needs; meet near-term needs, provide personal interaction with EV technology, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions along the way.
We are proud to be supported by Shell, CenterPoint Energy, the City of Houston, and the University of Houston, and NRG Energy, all of whom are at the core of our support system. The eMobility Microgrant Initiative was also supported by Corporate Catalysts, bp and GM.
