Uber Transit has announced the launch of its all-new 1 million USD Innovation Fund, as well a nationwide Call for Projects that aims to help public transport agencies, local authorities and regional bodies pilot on-demand mobility solutions.
The initiative has been designed to remove financial barriers, thereby enabling agencies to trial new service models, reduce operating costs and improve the overall passenger experience.
Through the funding; Uber Transit will award up to 50,000 USD to 20 ‘forward-thinking’ agencies across the United States to launch real-world pilot programmes.
Chris Margaronis, Head of Uber Transit, said:The reality is, the maths of public transport isn’t getting any easier.
When a traditional paratransit journey costs $100, that’s not just a cost problem; it’s a service problem. Every extra pound spent on one journey is a pound an agency cannot use to serve another passenger. We are launching this fund to prove that by using flexible supply and modern tools, we can safely deliver that same journey for $20. That translates to five times the mobility for the same budget.
This fund offers agencies a responsible way to trial better solutions without putting their core budgets at risk. We are providing a platform for small pilots, real data, shared investment, and measurable outcomes. Riders don’t experience innovation as risk; they experience it as freedom.
The programme is structured to minimise risk for agencies with no upfront fees, no minimum guarantees and no capital investment required. Agencies only pay for trips delivered, ensuring alignment between cost and performance.
Agencies are now invited to submit proposals through the Call for Projects, here, and all applications must be submitted by 30 June 2026 before then being reviewed on a rolling basis until all funding has been allocated.
