Tesla DASH Ridesharing Service - Downtown Tampa, FL

Today has been a pretty hectic travel day for me so the WTF will inevitably be a bit shorter. Nevertheless I just saw DASH for the first time today and I'm sharing my notes on this project below:

• Service Overview:
  • Name: DASH (Downtown Area Shared Hubs).
  • Purpose: To provide affordable and sustainable ridesharing options within Downtown Tampa.
• Fleet Details:
  • Vehicles Used: Six Tesla Model Y electric SUVs.
  • Identification: Vehicles are wrapped in yellow with DASH logos.
• Service Area and Schedule:
  • Coverage: All 20 neighborhoods within Downtown Tampa (1.862 square miles).
  • Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday (7 a.m. - 11 p.m.), Sunday (12 p.m. - 9 p.m.).
• Booking and Pricing:
  • Booking Method: Via DASH Tampa smartphone app (available on Apple iPhone and Android).
  • Cost: $2 per person.
  • Capacity: Minimum 2, maximum 4 passengers per ride (excluding driver).
• Additional Notes:
  • The service aims to address the ‘first mile-last mile’ transportation needs.
  • Emphasizes sustainable transportation with zero-emission vehicles.
  • Operational details may evolve as the service progresses.

WTF?

The DASH ridesharing service in Downtown Tampa, FL, using Tesla Model Y electric SUVs, is significant for Elon Musk and Tesla's ambitions in the ridesharing and autonomous vehicle space for the following reasons:

Promotion of Tesla in Ridesharing: Utilizing Tesla vehicles in a public ridesharing service provides a visible demonstration of their suitability for both private and commercial transport, potentially boosting consumer and investor confidence in Tesla's versatility and reliability.

Data Collection for Autonomous Technology: While not currently autonomous, the operation of Tesla vehicles in this service offers valuable insights into urban driving conditions and patterns. This data is crucial for the development of Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving technologies, aligning with Musk's vision for a future Tesla Network of autonomous robotaxis.

Precedent for Future Tesla Network: The success of DASH can act as a model for Tesla's ambitions to launch its own ridesharing network, showcasing public readiness for ridesharing services using Tesla vehicles and setting a foundation for the eventual introduction of autonomous Tesla ridesharing services.