Winchester Launches WinReady On Demand

Published on March 27, 2024

WINCHESTER, Va – On March 25, the City of Winchester launched "WinReady On Demand," a publicly operated point-to-point rideshare service. With WinReady On Demand, Winchester community members can request a ride from any location in the City to a destination within City limits in about 30 minutes. 

WinReady On Demand is an example of microtransit, an innovative, demand-based approach to public transit management. Through WinReady On Demand, the City will be able to more effectively allocate transit resources to where they are needed, while making it easier for residents to get to work, school, and shopping on time, on their schedule. 

In addition to WinReady On Demand, the City operates a fixed bus route, the "Loop Route." Schedules, maps, and additional information about the Loop Route or the WinReady On Demand service can be found at https://www.winchesterva.gov/Services-Payments/Public-Transit. The City’s current bus route servicing Laurel Ridge Community College, and service to the Veteran’s Administration clinic in Kernstown will not be changed.   

To use WinReady On Demand, customers can book a ride through the WinReady app, which is available in the App Store or Google Play Store. Customers can call 540-667-2230 to book a ride or ask questions about the new service. WinReady On Demand is presently a free service, although the City may reinstitute low fares for WinReady On Demand and other public transit services in July 2024.  

WinReady On Demand is powered by Via, a global leader in transit technology. Through the WinReady On Demand app, Via uses intelligent algorithms to match riders headed in the same direction. Via’s technology provides riders quick and efficient shared trips without having to worry about fixed bus schedules.