Summit's Uber/Lyft Rideshare Programs Sees Price Increase

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit residents who use the city's Uber/Lyft ridershare program can expect an increase in rates starting Wednesday.

The rideshare program was created by the Parking Services Agency back in 2016 and is only offered to Summit residents. Through the program, residents who pay for commuter parking permits or a downtown employee parking permit, or do not have permits, are eligible for discounted Uber or Lyft rides to and from the train station.

Common Council recently approved a price increase from $1 to $2 per ride for participants with pre-paid parking permits and an increase from $3 to $4 for participants without pre-paid parking permits.

Participants are now responsible for any fees over $15 per ride in addition to their original $2 or $4 ride payment. The new program hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The new fees and operating hours will be effective starting Wednesday, Feb. 1, and current participants will be notified of changes via email.

Summit's ridesharing program is specifically designed for Summit commuters and Summit residents who work downtown. Lyft and Uber drivers provide door-to-door service to and from the Summit train station. Each participant is eligible for one trip within Summit to the trains tation and one trip from the train station to another location in Summit each day.

The program also helps alleviate parking congestion in and around town, as well as in the train station lots.

Councilman Andy Minegar explained at a previous council meeting that there is a upward trend of limited parking in the city.

On an average day in January last year, Minegar said the Broad Street garage was 40 percent full. This increased to 59 percent in February, then 72 percent, 77 percent and by October, the lot reached 87 percent capacity.

In addition, Minegar said the Elm Street lot started at 40 percent in January and rose to 90 percent by October.

Read more: Lyft/Uber Rideshare Program Renewed By Summit Council Despite Debate

You can read more about the rideshare program on the city's website.