Introducing: Mobile Service from Lyft

Mobile Service brings quality car repairs directly to you. With wiper blades, batteries, oil changes, and more, Mobile Service is part of Lyft Driver Services: our commitment to make driving better for you.We want to help you keep your car in tip-top shape — or help you get back on the road. To get service,… Continue reading Introducing: Mobile Service from Lyft

Via Goes Exclusively Shared for Earth Day

Published April 17, 2019 5:22 pm, Via NYC
Via Goes Exclusively Shared for Earth Day
The company encourages everyone to ditch single-occupancy trips for shared transportation

April 17, 2019– Via, the leading provider and
developer of on-demand shared mobility, is encouraging everyone to take a stand
against congestion and carbon emissions this Earth Day by turning off its
private ride feature and exclusively offering shared rides on April 22.

“At Via we have always believed that we’re smarter
together, that everyone wins when you share your ride,” said Daniel Ramot,
Via’s co-founder and CEO. “Via’s sophisticated passenger matching algorithms
allows us to utilize every seat in the vehicle. By moving more people with
fewer cars, we reduce congestion and emissions and ensure that drivers spend
less time cruising around empty.”

If just one commuter made the switch to taking shared
rides to-and-from work instead of single-occupancy vehicle trips, his or her
carbon footprint would be reduced by the same amount as planting 17 trees.
Similarly, if 1,500 New Yorkers decided to take the same action, the amount of
CO2 saved would be more than equivalent to the number of trees in Central Park.
This Earth Day, Via encourages everyone to make the switch from
single-occupancy to shared, and encourages other transportation providers to
offer exclusively shared rides for the day.

Via’s smart algorithm enables multiple riders to
seamlessly share a single vehicle. The powerful technology directs passengers
to a nearby corner – a virtual bus stop – for pick up and drop off, allowing
for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours that take riders
out of their way. This enables Via’s system to transport a high volume of
passengers while using a fraction of the number of vehicles utilized by other
on-demand car services, which reduces traffic and carbon emissions. Via is also
developing routing and fleet management technology to power entirely electric vehicle
fleets.

Via has been tapped by cities and transportation
players around the world to help find green solutions to cut down on private
vehicle usage. Via now has more than 60 launched and pending deployments in
more than 15 countries, including partnerships with some of the world’s biggest
public transit agencies such as Los Angeles Metro, Singapore’s Land
Transportation Authority, Transport for London, and Berlin’s Berliner
Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG).

Via’s Shared Stats:

–The most passengers picked up in one consecutive trip without ever having an empty car = 30

–Via passengers share their ride with at least one other person more than 85% of the time during peak hours when congestion is at its worst

–In 2018 alone, New Yorkers saved more than $90M by riding shared instead of private

–Riders in New York have saved more than 22M pounds of CO2 and 29M vehicle miles by riding shared as compared to riding private

–The TLC reported in 2018 that Via has the highest utilization rate of any for-hire vehicle service in New York City.

About Via:

Via is re-engineering public transit, from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. Via’s mobile app connects multiple passengers who are headed the same way, allowing riders to seamlessly share a premium vehicle. First launched in New York City in September 2013, the Via platform currently operates in the United States, and in Europe through its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Vans, ViaVan. Via’s technology is also deployed worldwide through partner projects with public transportation agencies, private transit operators, taxi fleets, private companies, and universities, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to provide the most cutting edge on-demand mobility innovation.

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Via and King County Metro Deploy Microtransit Service Connecting Seattle and Tukwila Residents to Public Transit

Published April 16, 2019 2:00 pm, Via NYC
Via and King County Metro Deploy Microtransit Service Connecting Seattle and Tukwila Residents to Public Transit
The new first- and last-mile service will support five major Sound Transit Link light rail stations

April 16, 2019 (Seattle, WA) — Via, the world’s leading provider and developer of on-demand shared mobility solutions, announced today a new microtransit deployment in Seattle, Washington aiming to connect more residents to public transportation. In partnership with King County Metro, Sound Transit and the City of Seattle, the new service brings on-demand connections to five transit hubs, offering first- and last-mile service in southeast Seattle and Tukwila at no additional charge.

Starting April 16, Via will offer service to five Sound Transit Link light rail stations: Mount Baker, Columbia City, Othello, Rainier Beach, and Tukwila International Boulevard. Customers also have the choice to hop on board one of the many Metro bus routes that connect to the Link light rail stations, further connecting the residents of King County.

“Via’s technology is redefining mobility across the globe, and we are thrilled to partner with King County Metro, an innovation-forward agency, to provide residents with a convenient, affordable, and congestion-reducing dynamic transportation alternative,” said Daniel Ramot, Co-founder and CEO of Via. “Via’s powerful passenger matching and vehicle routing algorithm is the solution to solving the first-and-last mile challenge, seamlessly integrating into the existing public transit infrastructure to connect residents to transit hubs in their communities.”

The year-long pilot project is partly funded by $2.7 million from the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Benefit District. Sound Transit also successfully applied for a Mobility on Demand Sandbox grant from the Federal Transit Administration to test the effectiveness of providing on-demand ride-share connections to transit stations.

“We are making it more convenient than ever to hop on board our high-capacity regional transit system,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The on-demand service we are bringing to southeast Seattle and Tukwila reflects our commitment to outstanding customer service, making it easy to take transit to work, school, or play, and back home again.”

Commuters, students, and visitors can download the Via app or call 206-258-7739 to book a ride. All ORCA public transportation passes are accepted upon boarding Via vehicles and will automatically apply as a transfer toward a Metro bus or Link light rail trip. Standard Metro fares apply.

Via to Transit will make it more convenient for customers to connect with the region’s growing transit system. On-demand services like this make it easier for commuters who do not own a car or prefer not to drive and park, live within a long walking distance of a transit hub, or can’t find open spaces at park-and-rides to take transit.

Via has been tapped by cities and transportation players around the world to help re-engineer public transit from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. Via now has more than 60 launched and pending deployments in more than 15 countries. To learn more about Via, visit www.platform.ridewithvia.com.

About Via

Via is re-engineering public transit, from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. Via’s mobile app connects multiple passengers who are headed the same way, allowing riders to seamlessly share a premium vehicle. First launched in New York City in September 2013, the Via platform operates in the United States and in Europe through its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Vans, ViaVan. Via’s technology is also deployed worldwide through dozens of partner projects with public transportation agencies, private transit operators, taxi fleets, private companies, and universities, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to power cutting-edge on-demand mobility. For more information, visit www.platform.ridewithvia.com.

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Coming to the Lyft app: Bikes!

Starting in early May, select Lyft users in New York City will begin to see a new mode of transportation available in the app: bikes! As we work to make cities better places to live and increase mobility, we see bikeshare as an integral part of our vision. There’s no question that a platform for… Continue reading Coming to the Lyft app: Bikes!

Via Announces Strategic Partnership with ITOCHU Corporation and Mori Building Company

Published April 14, 2019 10:00 pm, Via NYC
Via Announces Strategic Partnership with ITOCHU Corporation and Mori Building Company
The new partnership allows for dramatic growth of on-demand mobility in Japan

April 15, 2019 (Tokyo, Japan) — Via, the world’s leading provider and developer of on-demand shared mobility solutions, announced today a strategic partnership with ITOCHU Corporation and Mori Building Company. Following on the heels of the August 2018 launch of HillsVia, a commuter service for Mori employees, the new partnership will allow Via to rapidly expand its dynamic, on-demand transportation solutions and solve pressing transit issues across Japan.

“We are delighted for ITOCHU and Mori Building to join us as strategic partners and investors,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “ITOCHU’s bold vision to transform consumer experiences and mobility infrastructure and Mori Building’s success in innovating urban living make both companies invaluable partners as we work to provide cutting-edge mobility solutions that are smart, efficient, and help to reduce congestion and emissions in Japan.”

Via is able to seamlessly integrate with existing fixed-route transportation infrastructure, helping to fill in gaps where existing transit isn’t easily accessible. Via’s technology efficiently works to aggregate multiple passengers into shared vehicles, reducing single-occupancy vehicle trips, thus improving traffic congestion and curtailing carbon emissions. The easy-to-use mobile interface is suited to riders of all ages, including the elderly.

As one of the country’s largest general trading companies, ITOCHU has a deep understanding of the Japanese consumer market, leading the pack when it comes to investing in transformative technologies like Via that will both innovate transportation and solve local governments’ most pressing issues. Via’s technology and operational experience is uniquely suited to the Japanese market, where Via operates as Via Japan.

“We are excited to partner with Via to support a more convenient transportation system in Japan,” said Shunsuke Noda, ITOCHU Chief Digital & Information Officer. “We believe that Via’s cutting-edge solution will be widely accepted in the Japanese market through strategic partnerships with existing transportation operators.”

Leading Tokyo-based urban developer Mori Building began its partnership with Via in August 2018, developing the on-demand mobility HillsVia solution for travel between Mori Building properties, such as Roppongi Hills and Toranomon Hills. Using the Via-powered HillsVia mobile app, Mori Building employees can book rides in high-end V-Class vans provided by Mercedes-Benz to move amongst the properties. The program confirmed that Via’s solutions can be successfully applied to Japanese business customs and traffic conditions.

“Through our trial of HillsVia since last summer, we have experienced the usefulness of Via’s unique algorism for urban lifestyle. Via’s solution will contribute to solving the problems of urban transportation such as traffic congestion and environmental pollution,” said Masahiko Ogasawara, a Director & Executive Managing Officer for Mori Building. “This service will improve city life by increasing transportation options in urban areas.”

In partnership with ITOCHU and Mori Building, Via aims to provide Japanese transportation companies and drivers with new technology that will both improve their organizational profitability, as well as solve social problems throughout Japan.

Via has been tapped by cities and transit authorities in more than 60 markets in 15 countries around the world, including several deployments in Asia. In addition to Mori’s corporate shuttle system, Via also powers a public transportation network to transform Angot in Indonesia in cooperation with PT. Teknologi Rancang Olah Nusantara (affiliated with Digiasia Bios), and two on-demand bus services in Singapore, including one with Singapore’s Land Transportation Authority. To learn more about Via, visit www.platform.ridewithvia.com.

About Via

Via is re-engineering public transit, from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. Via’s mobile app connects multiple passengers who are headed the same way, allowing riders to seamlessly share a premium vehicle. First launched in New York City in September 2013, the Via platform operates in the United States and in Europe through its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Vans, ViaVan. Via’s technology is also deployed worldwide through dozens of partner projects with public transportation agencies, private transit operators, taxi fleets, private companies, and universities, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to power cutting-edge on-demand mobility. For more information, visit www.platform.ridewithvia.com.

About ITOCHU Corporation

With 110 offices in 63 countries, ITOCHU, one of the leading sogo shosha, engages in domestic trading, import/export and overseas trading of various products such as textile, machinery, metals, minerals, energy, chemicals, food, general products, realty, information and communications technology, and finance, as well as business investment in Japan and overseas. ITOCHU Corporation was founded by Chubei Itoh in 1858 and now employs 4,380 people globally.

About Mori Building Company

Mori Building is an innovative urban developer based in Tokyo. The company is committed to maximizing the magnetic power of cities by creating and nurturing safe, sustainable and cosmopolitan urban centers based on its unique Vertical Garden City concept of high-rise centers for business, education, leisure and residence. The concept is applied in the company’s many leading-edge projects, including ARK Hills, Omotesando Hills, Roppongi Hills and Toranomon Hills in Tokyo and the Shanghai World Financial Center. Mori Building is also engaged in real estate leasing, project management and consultation. Please visit www.mori.co.jp/en

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Bekasi and Via Launch TRON to Transform Riding Angkot in Indonesia

Published April 9, 2019 11:00 pm, Via NYC
Bekasi and Via Launch TRON to Transform Riding Angkot in Indonesia
The new ridesharing deployment will launch in March near Jakarta, beginning with 150 vehicles

April 10, 2019 (Bekasi, Indonesia) — Residents of Bekasi will soon be served by the next generation of Angkot as PT. Teknologi Rancang Olah Nusantara introduces TRON, a new form of on-demand public transportation. Launching on April 10, TRON is developed in partnership with Via, the world’s leading provider of on-demand shared mobility solutions.

TRON is a new mobile application that allows users to request a 15 person shared van in real-time, similar to those used for Angkot. After registration, riders request their travel and are directed to a nearby virtual pickup point indicated in the application. The new service will begin with 150 vehicles, giving riders a fully dynamic new way to travel around Bekasi.

“With TRON in Bekasi, we are confident that we will give a new experience in riding public transportation,” said TRON CEO David Santoso. “This new service powered by Via is a great way to encourage people to ride public transportation.”

The vehicles hailed by the TRON mobile app will run in two zones — one along the former K-11 route that was divided into three routes, and another along the former K-12 route. The K-11 service will run from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., while the K-12 will operate from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Each trip is a fixed-fee, costing riders just 5000 rupiah.

“People in Bekasi no longer need to walk a long distance to search for Angkot because TRON provides on-demand booking and efficient routing, making it possible for Angkot drivers to pick up riders much closer to their homes and taking them on a more direct route to their destinations,” said Santoso.

Via’s advanced algorithms enable multiple riders to seamlessly share a vehicle. The powerful technology directs passengers to a nearby corner — a virtual bus stop — for pick up and drop off, and dynamically routes the vehicle in real-time, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or inconvenient fixed routes and schedules.

“We are delighted to partner with the innovative city of Bekasi to bring Via’s technology to Indonesia,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “Via’s vision is to provide cutting-edge mobility solutions that are smart, efficient, and help to reduce congestion and emissions globally, and the TRON service demonstrates how public transportation and technology can work together to make a city smarter.”

Via has been tapped by cities and transportation players around the world to help re-engineer public transit from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. Via now has more than 60 launched and pending deployments in more than 15 countries. To learn more about Via, visit www.platform.ridewithvia.com.

About TRON

Aplikasi TRON adalah produk dari PT. Teknologi Rancang Olah Nusantara dan merupakan afiliasi dari Digiasia Bios. TRON merupakan aplikasi ride sharing yang saat ini dapat digunakan untuk naik Angkot di Bekasi dengan layanan pembayaran non tunai yang disediakan oleh KasPro.

The TRON application is a product by PT. Teknologi Rancang Olah Nusantara and affiliated by Digiasia Bios. TRON is a ride sharing application that currently can be used to ride City Transport (Angkot) in Bekasi with cashless payment service provided by KasPro.
About Via
Via is re-engineering public transit, from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. Via’s mobile app connects multiple passengers who are headed the same way, allowing riders to seamlessly share a premium vehicle. First launched in New York City in September 2013, the Via platform operates in the United States and in Europe through its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Vans, ViaVan. Via’s technology is also deployed worldwide through dozens of partner projects with public transportation agencies, private transit operators, taxi fleets, private companies, and universities, seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure to power cutting-edge on-demand mobility. For more information, visit www.platform.ridewithvia.com.

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How Careem’s Destination Prediction Service speeds up your…

In Dubai, there are around 8,000 restaurants, the world’s tallest building, over 50 malls, lots of beaches, theme parks and much more. The number of destinations is vast – so where are you going next?

You’re not the only one trying to answer that question.

Careem is constantly trying to figure out where its users will go next. And not just in Dubai, but in all 15 of the countries in which we’re present and for all 33 million of the platform’s users.

Why does a ride-hailing service need the answer?

Imagine, instead of asking a user to search his destination on a map by manually inputting the address, we simply give them a shortlist of most probable locations to choose from.

One-click booking makes things faster and easier for the customer, and knowing where a customer would like to go next – even before they tell us – allows us to improve our service by ensuring the busier areas have a greater supply of transport options.

The Careem data science team asked the question, “if we bui..

Careem launches global in-ride insurance for passengers and Captains

Careem has launched a global in-ride insurance programme to provide free in-ride insurance for both passengers and Captains in all 15 countries in which Careem operates.

The deal with a global insurance broker has secured policies that would potentially pay up to $20,000 to cover expenses related to death or serious injury caused by an accident during a Careem ride.

Captains are covered by insurance from the moment that their app is online and available to pick up passengers, right through when they are en-route to pick-up a fare or waiting at the pick up location, as well as when driving the passenger to their destination.

Safety remains our top priority as we expand across new territories and enter new verticals. The introduction of our new free global insurance plan means that our Captains and all 33 million of our customers now have insurance while riding with us in any country. This is a huge commitment from Careem that reflects the importance of safety and well-being of our cu..

Grab’s new one-north headquarters to house up to 3,000 employees and its largest R&D Centre

The regional tech champion launches Batch 2 of Grab Ventures Velocity programme and reaffirms long-term commitment to Singapore at groundbreaking ceremony of its new headquarters. Singapore, 29 March 2019 — Grab, the leading everyday super app in Southeast Asia, and Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust (Ascendas Reit), today held the groundbreaking ceremony for Grab’s new… Continue reading Grab’s new one-north headquarters to house up to 3,000 employees and its largest R&D Centre

Bolt awarded as best young-led startup 🚀

In StartUp Europe Awards ceremony held in Romania, European Comission and Finnova Foundation awarded 5 significant start-ups from Europe for their social impact. We are proud to announce that Bolt won an award for best young-led startup. The ceremony was chaired by the European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, Mariya Gabriel, together with the Mayor… Continue reading Bolt awarded as best young-led startup 🚀