EVtalk checks out ‘AT Local’

This story first appeared in the May issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

An EV rideshare trial is about half way through its year’s “test and learn” on Auckland’s North Shore.

So EVtalk’s Sophia Wang tried Auckland Transport’s AT Local service in the lower Devonport peninsula which aims to reduce congestion for those travelling to and from the area’s three ferry terminals.

AT Local has three Hyundai Ioniq sedans and three LDS-EV80 minivans in operation.

Passengers order the EVs on the AT Local app to pick them up, either immediately or booked in advance.

It is a corner-to-corner ride share service, meaning customers may have to walk up to 200 metres to the meeting spot as it’s not door-to-door.

One of AT Local’s principal objectives is to understand if customers will adapt to the corner-to-corner service, which they appear to be doing.

EVtalk parked at Bayswater Marina to ride the AT Local to the Devonport Ferry Terminal, a 5.5km journey which took less than 10 minutes to drive at 9.30am on a weekday.

It costs $3 for the service to and from ferry services, and $5 for any other trips in the area.

That compares with $1.95 on a regular bus to the ferry with an AT hop card, although that journey can take longer.

The AT Local app shows you how long booking one seat would take.In this instance, it took eight minutes for the driver to arrive at Bayswater Marina.

The EV is easy to spot with its bright green AT Local logo.

Similar to Uber and other ride-sharing services, the app allows you to track where the EV is on its way towards the pick-up point.The driver has a screen where he is able to view directions and accept passengers’ trips.Like normal AT public transport, no food, drink or smoking is allowed in the EV.

During the ride, the driver allowed EVtalk to adjust the air-conditioning.

“I want you to be as comfortable as possible,” he said.

The driver revealed he has filled up a van seven times, all heading towards the Devonport ferry terminal.A van can fit nine people.

The ride was enjoyable – both smooth and quiet and allowing easy conversation.

Once we reached the terminal, the driver picked up a couple instantly.

More than 40% of all weekday rides are shared with others travelling in the same direction.

AT Local says the additional benefit of using EVs is that sharing the service allows a reduction in the number of vehicle movements, helping address peak hour congestion.

“Even if only one customer is in the rideshare vehicle, since they are electric there is still a benefit to the air quality through reduced emissions,” AT Metro customer experience manager Peter Paton says.

Starting in November 2018, AT Local runs 365 days a year from 5.40am to 9.20pm weekdays, 8.25am-6.50pm Saturdays and 8.25am-6.20pm Sundays and public holidays.

AT Local believes this is the first all-electric rideshare service anywhere in the world, and Paton says the service continues to gain customers.

“We are continuing to monitor customer travel patterns each day to ensure that we match vehicle availability with customer demand.”

Paton says one of the main objectives of the trial was to encourage people who drive to the three ferry terminals to consider using the rideshare as an alternative.

“As more rides are shared by customers, more private car trips are avoided, and since AT Local uses electric vehicles it contributes to improving the local environment through reduced pollution.”

AT Local has been criticised in some media for being “financially irresponsible” and for funding it in the Devonport area, reportedly one of Auckland’s wealthiest suburbs.

The trial cost an estimated $1.3 million to run, according to Stuff, which reports it needs to reach about 200 trips daily over the course of the year to receive 22% of its cost.On the busiest day, the service reached 163 rides, it reported in early April.

AT Local has a target of 1200 to 1400 passengers weekly, and its best week saw the numbers reach 759 rides, just over half of its target, Stuff says.

Takapuna-Devonport Local Board member Mike Sheehy told Stuff the trial is a failure as a result.

But 95% of customers have given the service a five-star rating, and patronage is increasing with more expected to use it in winter.

“Overall, AT is very pleased with AT Local’s progress to date as both customer numbers and ridership have continued to increase week-on-week,” Paton says.

Paton adds the trial has customer feedback saying they are no longer drive to or from the ferry terminals, having swapped their car journey for AT Local.

“Customers are no longer having to drive around the local neighbourhood looking for a car park; they can get dropped off at the ferry terminal in an environmentally friendly electric vehicle,” Paton says.

The trial zone is limited to the Devonport area, with no plans to extend beyond that.

Overall, EVtalk gives the service the thumbs up as it’s quick, convenient and helps more people to experience an EV.