ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Charlottesville Area Transit, or CAT, has added a transit option for those who live in the Pantops and 29 North areas of Albemarle County.

It’s called MicroCAT, and it is the transit service's version of a rideshare service. It’s also free.

"Fixed-route round transportation can't go everywhere. These are smaller vehicles that can get into less dense, populated areas like a neighborhood. giving them an opportunity to relieve those transit deserts," Director of Transportation Garland Williams said.

"We are now bringing basically about 50,000 to 60,000 people into the realm of public transport,” said Donna Price, chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.

Anyone in the Pantops or 29 North corridor can book a ride on the app or call (434) 442-2466.

"Somebody might live in Westminster, Canterbury, and have to get over here to Martha Jefferson for an appointment or to the grocery store. Both of those are just like a mile or less but you've got scary Route 250 in between," transportation advocate Peter Krebs said.

Some cars are wheelchair-accessible, and the drivers are trained to make it a safe trip.

"My father was in a wheelchair the last couple of years of his life, he lived to be 101,” new MicroCAT driver Peter Lafford said, “But I am used to working with people in wheelchairs and making sure they're secure and comfortable and all of that. And I like helping people and talking with people and so I'm really looking forward to the service as it gets more active.”

They're hoping that once people start riding MicroCAT, its popularity will grow.