Mobility Companies – Page 67 – I wish I had more to offer

Employee Spotlight: Vladimir Iglovikov

From academia, to Kaggle Grandmaster, to putting maps into autonomous vehicles Vladimir Iglovikov is a mountaineering, rock climbing, Burning Man-loving scientist who holds both a Master’s and Ph.D. in physics. He has published a number of papers on everything from theoretical physics to the application of deep learning on forensics, medical, and satellite imagery. As… Continue reading Employee Spotlight: Vladimir Iglovikov

Now, Next, and Future: Tara Stentz

A profile series that introduces our team and showcases what we’re working on. My name is Tara Stentz, and I am a Software Engineer on the Prediction Team! I graduated in 2018 from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a minor in Computer Science. For the summer of 2017,… Continue reading Now, Next, and Future: Tara Stentz

Bolt gathered in Tallinn for a company-wide hackathon

In the second week of August, 550 Bolt employees from all around the globe gathered in Tallinn for a company-wide hackathon to improve company culture, network, gain new knowledge and generally share some good vibes! Here’s what happened. Imagine one regular six-year-old. He’s full of questions when it comes to discovering the world in and… Continue reading Bolt gathered in Tallinn for a company-wide hackathon

Lyft Relaunches Wheels for All Grants: Now with 40 cities and up to $500,000 in free or discounted rides

Lyft is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations doing incredible work around the nation to make our communities stronger, healthier, and more equitable. That’s why we’re expanding Lyft’s Wheels for All Grants program (formerly known as Lyft Community Grants) to 40 cities, including Detroit, Honolulu, Philadelphia and Phoenix. And we’re committing $500,000 per year to grassroots… Continue reading Lyft Relaunches Wheels for All Grants: Now with 40 cities and up to $500,000 in free or discounted rides

Lyft Announces Record Second Quarter Results

Second quarter revenue grew to $867 million, up 72% year-over-yearBased on execution and improving market environment, raising outlook for fiscal 2019 SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lyft, Inc. (Nasdaq:LYFT) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2019. “Lyft’s second quarter was marked by strong execution and important advances… Continue reading Lyft Announces Record Second Quarter Results

Lyft Announces Record First Quarter Results

First quarter revenue grew to $776 million, up 95% year-over-yearActive Riders grew to over 20.5 million in the quarter SAN FRANCISCO, May 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lyft, Inc. (Nasdaq:LYFT) today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2019. “The first quarter was a strong start to an important year, our first… Continue reading Lyft Announces Record First Quarter Results

Uber Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2019. “Our platform strategy continues to deliver strong results, with Trips up 35% and Gross Bookings up 37% in constant currency, compared to the second quarter of last year,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO. “In July, the Uber platform… Continue reading Uber Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

Careem’s pitch deck that returned 100X for investors

Via Overhauls Paratransit with New On-Demand Service in Michigan

Published August 5, 2019 8:46 am, Via NYC
Via Overhauls Paratransit with New On-Demand Service in Michigan
Rapid On Demand is among the first paratransit services in the United States to integrate with on-demand ridesharing technology

August 5, 2019 (GRAND RAPIDS, MI) — Via, the world’s leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility solutions, today announced a new paratransit deployment in partnership with The Rapid, a leading public transportation provider in the Midwest. Called “Rapid On Demand,” the new network is one of the first times an American transit agency will upgrade its paratransit service with on-demand ridehailing technology, as opposed to pre-scheduling days in advance.

While Via already offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles nearly everywhere it operates, this will be the company’s first-ever deployment fully dedicated to overhauling a city’s vitally important paratransit services. Grand Rapids residents eligible for the city’s GO!Bus ADA paratransit program can now utilize the Rapid On Demand app, developed and powered by Via.

“We’re delighted to be working with The Rapid and partners to provide an affordable, convenient, and comfortable transportation solution for seniors and people with disabilities,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “We have increasingly seen cities and towns ask how they can provide their residents with transportation that radically improves the customer experience, and yet still achieves the same environmental and congestion-reducing benefits of public transit. Via’s on-demand transit technology is that solution, and we are excited for GO!Bus to improve mobility for residents in the communities that need it most.”

Using the Rapid On Demand app, riders will be able to hail a shuttle directly from their smartphone. Via’s advanced algorithms will enable multiple riders to seamlessly share the vehicle. The powerful technology will direct passengers to a nearby virtual bus stop within a short walking distance for pick up and drop off, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or inconvenient fixed routes and schedules.

“At The Rapid, our goal is to continuously improve mobility options in West Michigan,” said Andrew Johnson, CEO of The Rapid. “Rapid On Demand offers an exciting opportunity to provide same-day service that improves independence and customer experience to those who may not be able to utilize typical ride hailing solutions.”

Commuters can use the service by downloading the Rapid On Demand smartphone app, available on iOS and Android. Users can book rides anywhere within the service zone spanning from Downtown Grand Rapids to the southeastern portion of Kentwood. There will be no charge to use the service at launch.

“On-demand public transit is revolutionary for our area, and we couldn’t be more excited about partnering to assist with the Rapid On Demand pilot program,” said Laura St. Louis, Community Organizer with Disability Advocates of Kent County. “Riders are already sharing how easy it is to book a ride and get where they need to go with no fuss.”

The Rapid received funding for the service through the Michigan Mobility Challenge, a grant initiative seeded with an $8 million legislative appropriation in 2018 to use technology and innovation to address core mobility gaps for seniors, persons with disabilities, and veterans across Michigan.

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 80 launched and pending deployments in nearly 20 countries, providing more than 60 million rides to date. 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.

Via Expands Citywide in Chicago

Published August 6, 2019 8:00 am, Via NYC
Via Expands Citywide in Chicago
Shared ride provider offers $2.50 flat fare rides to CTA/Metra stations in the new zone

August 6, 2019 (CHICAGO)– Via, the leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility solutions, has expanded its Chicago service citywide. Nearly doubling the size of the current operating zone, the expansion includes several parts of the city least served by existing public transportation. Via will supplement the existing transit by providing first-and-last-mile connection for riders to-and-from all CTA and Metra stations in the expansion zone for a flat $2.50 rate.

“At Via, our goal is to eliminate the need for private car ownership by providing affordable, convenient, and eco-friendly on-demand shared transportation that can seamlessly integrate into existing public transit,” said Alex Lavoie, US General Manager of Via. “We’re delighted to be expanding in Chicago to provide greater access across the entire city for residents, workers, and visitors in these communities.”

Chicago has seen a growing demand for on-demand mobility solutions in parts of the city with more limited access to public transit, and since December, public TNC data shows that requests for shared rides have increased in the southernmost parts of the city, despite an overall citywide decline.

Using the Via app, passengers select their pick up and drop off location and confirm their ride. 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 taxis or on-demand car services. Rides applicable for the $2.50 flat rate must be booked as shared rides to-or-from one of 65 CTA or Metra stations within the new zone, and will be capped at a distance of two miles.

In the United States, Via operates services in New York, Chicago, and Washington DC, and now has more than 80 launched and pending deployments nearly 20 countries, providing more than sixty million rides to date. Via has partnered with some of the world’s largest public transit agencies to solve pressing transportation needs including the Los Angeles Metro, Transport for London (TfL), Sydney’s Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW), and Berlin’s Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG).

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.

Via’s citywide zone in Chicago in addition to Evanston, Harwood Heights, Norwood, O’Hare and Midway Airports (August 2019)