Fast-growing local startup offers $3 eco-friendly rides from Plaza Midwood to NoDa
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A homegrown microtransit company is gaining momentum in Charlotte, offering $3 rides between some of the city's coolest neighborhoods.
Why it matters: Forget Uber. JUMP Transit is offering low rates in all-electric vehicles — and it's all local.
- For just a few bucks, JUMP will take you all the way from Legion Brewing in Plaza Midwood to Independent Picture House near NoDa, for example.
By the numbers: JUMP is expanding quickly, especially since the return of warmer weather. Founder Justin Nevill says the service saw about 40% week-over-week growth throughout March and more than 50% growth from April to May.
- With demand rising, JUMP is eyeing an expansion to South End this summer.
- The fleet has grown to five low-speed, zero-emission vehicles. Nevill partners with local businesses to station the vehicles. You'll often see one outside Moxie Mercantile, for instance.
The big picture: Transportation is the leading source of climate-changing carbon emissions, and big ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have been found to contribute to the problem nationally by replacing climate-friendly mass transit.
Follow the money: Traditional rideshare companies are known to raise prices once they capture a market. But Nevill says that's not his plan. He doesn't want to mess with the "magic" of their flat, predictable rates: $3 per ride or $7 for a day pass.
- While the fares help break even, JUMP generates revenue through advertising. Vehicle wraps currently promote several apartment complexes in the area.
Backstory: Nevill comes from the world of tech startups but says he got burnt out and bored with Zooms. The idea for JUMP combined his skills with his passion for connecting with people and sustainability.
- In late 2023, he hung flyers on doors around NoDa to survey neighbors' interest in a service like JUMP and pricing. The feedback was encouraging.
- He bought his first two vehicles and launched JUMP in August 2024 as a fixed route around NoDa, Villa Heights and Optimist Park. Riders began requesting more specific stops, so Nevill pivoted to a full rideshare model after a couple of months.
- "It wasn't until I was fairly into it when I was like, 'Oh, this is a thing. It's called microtransit,'" Nevill says.
Zoom out: Mictrotransit is popping up throughout Charlotte. The Florida-based company Freebee runs the SouthPark Skipper and the Ballantyne Bolt.
- Plaza Midwood piloted Jaunt, a Texas-based company, before JUMP entered the neighborhood in February, expanding its footprint to include Commonwealth-Morningside and Belmont.
How it works: Riders can call a JUMP ride through its website. Nevill says it was important that he matched the convenience of Uber and Lyft that people are used to.
- The average wait and trip times are both about eight minutes. JUMP currently runs Friday from 5-11pm, Saturdays 12-11pm and Sunday 12-9pm.
- The vehicles travel up to 25 miles per hour and can only be on roads with speed limits of 35 miles or less.
- Drivers are employees, not contractors, who keep 100% of their tips.
- There are also memberships, starting at $19 a month for eight rides.
What's next: Once JUMP hires more drivers, Nevill hopes to establish an Uptown service, expand hours, launch a downloadable app and explore using JUMP for deliveries.