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“Getting to and from the train station is often the toughest part of a daily commute,” said Jim Cameron, founder of the Commuter Action Group. “With five- to six-year waiting lists for station parking permits, it’s exciting to see that the on-demand ride sharing service Uber is tapping this new market. In Connecticut they’ve already found that a quarter of their customers start or end their journey near a train station. And to make that ‘first / final mile’ connection even simpler, they’re embedding Uber functionality into the best new rail commuter app in years, 'Passenger.' ”
Developed by two millennial brothers from Westchester, Andrew and Sam Drozdov, Passenger is a free, easy to use smart-phone app that helps commuters find their next train and order an Uber to get to/from the station.
Here is how it works:
- Metro-North riders need to download the new Passenger app (available for iOS with Android coming soon), and enter the train stations at which they will be departing or arriving.
- After entering this information, the app will show a list of train times.
- A new screen will tell when the train leaves, the track number, how many stops and updates on delays.
- There also is an embedded option in the Passenger app called "Ride there with Uber." Once the user clicks on this, the Uber app will open. They can enter their departure train station (i.e. Grand Central) in the destination field and request an Uber ride to that station or for a ride home.
As a special offer to Metro-North commuters, Uber is offering a $20 credit for riders to encourage them to try the service. Download the Passenger and Uber apps and use the promo code RIDEMNR.
To join the Commuter Action Group, which has no dues or fees, visit www.CommuterActionGroup.org.
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