A New Way to Move Through Fort Mill & Northern York County
As Fort Mill and Northern York County continue to grow, so does our responsibility to ensure that every resident can move through our community safely, affordably, and conveniently. With new neighborhoods, expanding commercial districts, and a thriving local economy, mobility has become a key part of maintaining our quality of life.
That’s why Fort Mill Economic Partners are working with the Town of Fort Mill and regional partners to launch a one-year Micro Transit Pilot Program that will evaluate the utilization of an on-demand, door-to-door, flexible transportation service designed to connect people to the places they need and want to go.
Why Micro‐Transit, and Why Now?
For many residents, transportation remains a daily challenge. Seniors missing medical appointments, workers without reliable rides, and families juggling tight budgets all feel the strain. Too many of our neighbors still lack access to safe, affordable local transportation.
At the same time, traffic congestion and parking shortages continue to grow. Traditional rideshare services are often expensive or unavailable in parts of Fort Mill, leaving gaps that disproportionately affect those who rely on transportation the most.
Micro‐transit offers a smarter, community centered solution, one that provides reliable access to essential destinations while reducing the number of single‐occupancy vehicles on our roads.
What is Micro-Transit?
Micro‐transit is a modern, community‐oriented transportation option that uses smaller, energy‐efficient vehicles rather than large buses. Through a custom‐branded mobile app, riders can request an electric vehicle, such as a Tesla Model Y or Toyota Sienna, to pick them up and take them directly to their destination within the service area.
The pilot would serve residents, visitors, and employees by providing easy connectivity to work, shopping, restaurants, events, and nightlife across the Town of Fort Mill and Northern York County.
The proposed pilot would operate 40 hours per week with a small fleet of electric vehicles, offering reliable access to:
● Medical facilities
● Pharmacies
● Grocery stores
● Employment centers
● Local restaurants, shops, and entertainment
Why It Matters for Our Community
Transportation is more than getting from point A to point B. It’s about access, opportunity, and connection. Micro‐transit can help:
● Reduce traffic congestion
● Ease parking demand in busy areas
● Support local businesses by increasing foot traffic
● Improve mobility for seniors, workers, and families
● Strengthen workforce access across the region
The pilot also includes robust data collection, from ridership patterns to greenhouse gas reduction estimates, giving York County measurable insights into how micro‐transit could support long‐term mobility planning.
A Thoughtful, Data Driven Pilot
This pilot is intentionally designed to start with a limited service area so the community can test the model, understand how residents use it, and evaluate its impact before considering any broader expansion. Industry best practice recommends beginning small, collecting real‐world data, and then making informed decisions based on what the community actually needs.
By tracking ridership patterns, trip purposes, vehicle performance, and mobility outcomes, the pilot will give the Town of Fort Mill and York County clear, measurable insights into how micro‐transit can support long‐term transportation planning.
The program aligns with several of York County’s targeted impacts, including:
● Enhanced mobility
● Small business support
● Community investment
● Workforce access
We Want to Hear From You
Your feedback is essential as we evaluate this opportunity. Please take a moment to complete our short community survey and share your thoughts on transportation needs in Northern York County:
Your input will help shape the future of mobility in our community.