Sprynt plans to start offering 100-percent electric rides for free along the Rossyln-Ballston Corridor beginning June 21. So how will the private company make any money off this venture? According to DC Urban Turf, passengers will be given advertising pitches during their trips.
According to a statement on the company’s website: “Our unique solution to the growing demand for alternative transportation is made possible through strategic advertising partnerships with local and national brands. These partnerships allow us to transport our passengers 100 percent free of charge!”
Let’s hope they have something really engaging to pitch because, otherwise, the plan seems a little puzzling. After all, an electric car is still a car, so it will need to attract riders to actually take cars off the road and make traffic more free flowing.
Not to mention, the corridor is rich in transportation options already, so of all the places that need a free shuttle, this isn’t one of the top ones. Even during Metrorail’s Safetrack repair program, WMATA offered free bus service on the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and it failed to attract any significant number of riders.
So it will be interesting to learn more details as they develop.