Medford Receives 122k From Rideshare Companies

From the City of Medford:

Posted on July 15, 2019

Mayor Stephanie M. Burke is pleased to announce that the City of Medford has received $122,122 from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft.

Legislation was enacted in 2016 to regulate smartphone-based transportation companies which included a 20-cent per ride fee for both Uber and Lyft. The Commonwealth receives the funds, and half of the monies are then distributed to cities and towns annually. The figure is based upon how many trips originate from the municipality. In the 2018 calendar year, 1,221,229 rides originated from the City of Medford.

“The City of Medford had the 8th highest ride origination rate in the Commonwealth. These funds will be helpful in addressing some of the City’s transportation infrastructure needs throughout the community,” said Mayor Stephanie M. Burke.

The funds are deemed “special revenue” and must be appropriated and used to address infrastructure impacted by the rideshare services. Funds can also be used for the Complete Streets program and other programs that support alternative means of transportation. A list of proposed projects will be submitted to the City Council in August.

Last year’s allotment was used for the following types of projects throughout the community:

• Solar powered Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian warning signs
• Solar powered Radar Feedback signs
• Solar powered Pedestrian crossing signs with flashing LED borders
• Solar powered stop signs with flashing LED borders
• Additional traffic calming measures

This press release was produced by City of Medford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.