MetroPark Office Workers Now Get Free Uber Rides

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Uber just launched a first-of-its-kind initiative at the MetroPark office complex in New Jersey: Property owner Mack-Cali will start paying for Uber rides for people who work at MetroPark.

Beginning today, Feb. 1, Mack-Cali will pay for all Uber rides up to $15 to and from the following four office complexes in Metropark during commuting hours, as part of a three-month pilot program.

Tenants at the following buildings will be eligible for the commuter ridesharing program:

• 343 Thornall Street, Edison, New Jersey
• 333 Thornall Street, Edison, New Jersey
• 101 Wood Avenue, Iselin, New Jersey
• 581 Main Street, Woodbridge, New Jersey

Anyone who takes Uber is eligible to have their ride paid for, anywhere within a 15 dollar range, says Uber spokesman Craig Ewer.

This is a three-month pilot program that's never been done anywhere in the country. Some apartment complexes in San Francisco have offered Uber stipends to people who rent there, and Meridia Living in New Jersey has given $100 Uber credits to new lease signers. In 2016, the town of Summit, NJ launched a 6-month pilot program where the town subsidized Uber rides to and from the Summit train station. But the MetroPark deal is the first time a landlord has paid for Uber rides for its commercial tenants' employees.

"We realize our tenants work long, sometimes unpredictable hours. We hope that, by providing them with subsidized Uber rides, we can help simplify this aspect of their lives," said Michael J. DeMarco, CEO of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation.

But does this mean MetroPark will now be flooded with Uber drivers?

Uber spokesman Ewer said Uber actually hopes this will cut down on personal cars being driven into MetroPark. UberPOOL and UberX will also be available for the Mack-Cali subsidy.

Dani Simons, a vice president at mass-transit advocacy group Regional Plan Association, seemed intrigued by the idea.

"We think this partnership is very promising in terms of offering a back-up option to commuters who are on the fence about taking transit. It gives you a way to run out for a quick errand or grab lunch during the day. It’s an option for rainy or snowy or extremely hot days," she said.

"For those who like to walk, it’s probably not going to be worth it to wait for an Uber, even if it comes in a few minutes, since it’s only about a 10-minute walk from the train to some of these buildings," she added. "The (office) in Woodbridge though is a long walk from any train station, but a short drive, and this partnership has even bigger potential benefits there."

An Uber pickup/dropoff area with custom signage will be established at each location and integrated directly into the Uber app, so riders and drivers know exactly where to meet one another. Trips covered under the program must start or end at one of the specified buildings and must take place Monday through Friday, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tenants at each building will have access to a specialized Uber for Business payment profile allowing them to bill the first $15 of eligible rides directly to Mack-Cali. Any overages beyond $15 will be billed automatically to the rider’s personal payment method.

Related: Summit Votes To Partner With Uber For Commuter 'Virtual Garage' Program