28,264 Passengers in Year One: Oberlin's Zero-Emission Downtown Shuttle
Oberlin, Ohio
“When people stop noticing a service because it's always there, that's when you know it's working.”
Overview
The City of Oberlin partnered with Slidr to launch a zero-emission downtown shuttle connecting residents, students, and visitors to key destinations across the city. The fixed-route service provided reliable, scheduled transportation along an 18-stop loop covering downtown, the college area, and residential neighborhoods. This was a 1-year pilot that demonstrated strong community adoption of electric microtransit in a small-city setting.
The Challenge
Oberlin needed an affordable, sustainable transportation option that could connect its walkable but spread-out downtown corridor, college campus, and residential areas without the overhead of a traditional public transit system. The city wanted something that could launch quickly, run cleanly, and prove the concept without a multi-year commitment or massive capital outlay.
The Slidr Solution
Slidr deployed a single electric transit van on a fixed route with 18 stops, operating Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 8 PM. The turnkey model meant the city didn't have to hire drivers, maintain vehicles, or manage scheduling. Slidr handled everything: the vehicle, the driver, the route planning, and the daily operations. The city got a fully functional transit service without building a transit department.
Results
Over 12 months, the Oberlin shuttle carried more than 28,200 passengers, averaging over 2,350 riders per month on a single vehicle. The pilot proved that even small communities can support robust electric transit when the barrier to entry is low. Residents and Oberlin College students used the service consistently for errands, commuting, and getting around town. The program demonstrated that you don't need a fleet of buses to make a real difference in community mobility.
“We have a high bar for anything tied to sustainability here, and Slidr cleared it. The electric fleet was a given, but what sold us was how well the service fit into daily life around town. Residents and students picked it up fast because it's just reliable and easy. When people stop noticing a service because it's always there, that's when you know it's working.”
One vehicle. 18 stops. 28,264 passengers. Small cities can do big transit.
At a Glance
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