Category: Mobility Companies

ViaVan Receives Top UITP Award For BerlKönig Service with BVG

Published June 14, 2019 12:47 pm, Via NYC
ViaVan Receives Top UITP Award For BerlKönig Service with BVG
On-demand public mobility in Berlin wins Public and Urban Transit Strategy Service category

13 June 2019 (BERLIN)– ViaVan, the joint venture between on-demand public mobility company Via and Mercedes-Benz Vans in Europe, receives in partnership with Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) the UITP Award in the category of Public and Urban Transport Strategy Service for its innovative BerlKönig deployment in Berlin. This prestigious prize is awarded every two years by the World Association of Public Transport Companies.

Launched in September 2018, the BerlKönig serves as a complement and extension to existing public transport in Berlin. Operated by ViaVan and powered by Via’s technology, the BerlKönig provides Berliners with an efficient, affordable and convenient on-demand shared public mobility service. The BerlKönig, with a fleet comprised of a majority of electric vehicles, has provided more than 650,000 shared rides while reducing vehicle miles traveled by more than 143,000 km as compared to private vehicle trips.

“ViaVan’s powerful algorithms were developed to provide the efficiency and convenience of a personal vehicle while delivering the congestion and emission reducing properties of public transit,” said Chris Snyder, CEO of ViaVan. “We are honored that UITP has recognized the impact that smart, shared solutions like BerlKönig can have to reduce single-occupancy vehicles on the roads when integrated into the public transport system,” said Chris Snyder, CEO of ViaVan.

“ViaVan’s mission is to work closely with cities to launch innovative new public transport solutions that have the potential to attract a new generation of public transport users,” said Valerie von der Tann, General Manager of ViaVan Berlin. “The UITP Award underscores that on-demand offers such as the BerlKönig are increasingly regarded internationally as a central element of future public transport systems.”

“We think it’s great that our digital service is not only very well received by Berliners, but is now also receiving international recognition in the transport industry,” said Dr. Henrick Haenecke, BVG Chief Financial Officer, Digitization and Sales. “For us, the price is also an incentive to further expand and strengthen our digital offers for our passengers.”

ViaVan’s technology seamlessly matches multiple passengers into a shared vehicle through the BerlKönig mobile app. Through the use of “virtual bus stops” and corner-to-corner pickup, unnecessary vehicle detours are minimized, reducing empty vehicle miles and added carbon emissions.

ViaVan, together with its parent Via, have been tapped by cities and transit authorities over 70 times in more than 15 countries around the world to provide on-demand public mobility solutions. ViaVan’s partnerships include powering a demand-responsive bus pilot with TfL in London, corporate campus mobility with BASF and Mercedes-Benz Vans in Germany, and demand-responsive bus services in the UK with Arriva and Go-Ahead.

About ViaVan:
ViaVan is a leading provider of innovative on-demand shared transit services in Europe. ViaVan was founded in 2017 as a joint venture between Via, the world’s most sophisticated developer of dynamic shared rides technology, and Mercedes-Benz Vans, the leading manufacturer of iconic passenger and cargo vans. Working closely with cities and public transit operators, ViaVan powers dynamic shared mobility services that complement existing transportation infrastructure, and currently operates in London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Milton Keynes. Through their partnership, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Via are also collaborating on the development of advanced mobility solutions, from sensor technology, to electric vehicle fleet management, to autonomous driving.

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Uber ATG enters two new collaborations with leading US research institutions

Uber ATG enters two new collaborations with leading US research institutions UberATGBlockedUnblockFollowFollowing Jun 18 Our team at Uber Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) is building high-performance self-driving technology with safety at the core of everything we do. Our foundational commitment to safety leads us to continually test new techniques, deploy new technology, and forge partnerships with… Continue reading Uber ATG enters two new collaborations with leading US research institutions

Via and the City of Newton Launch Microtransit Network Aimed to Support Local Seniors

Published June 17, 2019 2:59 pm, Via NYC
Via and the City of Newton Launch Microtransit Network Aimed to Support Local Seniors
The new on-demand service “NewMo” is tailored exclusively to Newton’s senior population, increasing both mobility and wellness

June 13, 2019 (Newton, MA) — Via, the world’s leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility solutions, today announced a new microtransit deployment in partnership with the City of Newton called Newton in Motion, or NewMo. The new on-demand shared transit system is available to seniors living in Newton, increasing their mobility within the city and select destinations in the surrounding region.

NewMo provides any resident over the age of 60 with an efficient, reliable, and affordable way to travel within the city of Newton, as well as a number of medical facilities outside of the city’s boundaries. The on-demand service replaces an outdated taxi voucher system which required passengers to make reservations at least 72 hours in advance.

“We’re delighted to be working with the City of Newton to provide an affordable, convenient, and comfortable transportation solution for seniors,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “We have increasingly seen cities and towns ask how they can provide their residents with public transportation that radically improves the customer experience, and yet still achieves the same environmental and congestion-reducing benefits of mass transit solutions. Via’s sophisticated on-demand transit technology is that solution, and we are excited for NewMo to improve mobility for seniors in the community.”

Using the Via app, riders will be able to hail a vehicle 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.

“I want seniors to be able to stay in Newton and thrive. Reliable, safe, affordable transportation is a key to giving people options for staying involved in their community as they phase out driving. This is a ground-breaking program that I really think can be a game-changer,” said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.

Seniors can use the service by downloading the Via smartphone app, available on iOS and Android, or by calling (617-655-8019). Users can book rides Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 9:00 a.m. to noon, costing as little as 50 cents to $5. In partnership with Avis, the new service will feature a fleet of Mercedes Metris vans, as well as wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Via is a leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility solutions, working with cities and transportation agencies around the world to connect more people to transit. Cooee Busways is among numerous other deployments powered by Via around the globe that make it easier for commuters who do not own a car, prefer not to drive and park, or live within a long distance of a transit hub.

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 70 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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Stepping up to the plate for safety

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Ending Ride to focus on Pass

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A New Class of Vehicle: Production-Ready Self-Driving

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Introducing Bay Wheels: New Bikes and a New Name

Big news for anyone who wants to get around the Bay Area on two wheels: Today, the Ford GoBike system has a new name — Bay Wheels. We’re also launching a brand-new ebike that you can access with just two taps in the Lyft app. We’ve been working for many months on this new hybrid… Continue reading Introducing Bay Wheels: New Bikes and a New Name

Communauto FLEX Service Launched in Saint-Laurent

Saint-Laurent, June 7, 2019 – On June 7, on Saint-Laurent territory, Communauto will be launching its Communauto FLEX self-serve car service, previously known as Auto-mobile. This new service will help improve the sustainable mobility opportunities available to residents, workers and visitors to Saint-Laurent.

“We are very pleased to welcome this new service, which will diversify accessible means of transportation for our community. Users will now be able to get around more quickly in Saint-Laurent and easily access other Montréal boroughs. Our collaboration with Communauto, which began in 2005 through its reservation-based rental service, is in line with Saint-Laurent’s policy to promote active, ecological and sustainable modes of transportation. These are alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle use, just like the BIXI bikes recently rolled out in Saint-Laurent. The implementation of these vehicles is also in keeping with the guidelines of our Plan local de déplacements (local transportation plan) adopted in 2017 and our status as a sustainable municipal territory,” mentioned Saint-Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa.

“Communauto’s mission is to develop a transportation service that is as widespread as possible and complementary to public and active transportation. By bringing Communauto FLEX to a large community such as Saint-Laurent, we are taking a decisive step towards offering city-wide services,” stated Marco Viviani, Communauto’s Vice-President, Strategic Development.

Where to park these vehicles in Saint-Laurent?

On
Saint-Laurent territory, Communauto FLEX vehicles will be allowed to park only
in the two SRRR (on-street parking reserved for residents) zones, namely:

The SRRR in Vieux-Saint-Laurent, bounded by boulevard Marcel-Laurin
and boulevard Côte-Vertu, avenue Sainte-Croix and rue Saint-LouisThe SRRR at Montpellier commuter train station, bounded by
boulevard de la Côte-Vertu, avenue Sainte-Croix, rue Tassé and rue Muir

The Borough will monitor this service over time, in order to ensure balanced parking in these two zones.

What is Communauto FLEX?

It
is a self-serve car service without reservation, which provides access to
hybrid or electric vehicles available without delay, 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. Its users take a car to any destination they choose and drop it off
anywhere they want within the service area. Rental can be arranged for a few
minutes, hours or days.

Users
may park in those spaces reserved for residents that are located within the
service areas. Such spaces may be found in more than 10 boroughs in Montréal.
For more information: www.communauto.com and 514 842-4545 or 1 877 942-4545.

About Communauto

Established in Québec City in 1994, Communauto is the longest-running car-sharing service in North America and the one serving the largest number of communities in Canada. With a fleet of close to 3,000 vehicles, the company serves 13 Canadian cities, in addition to Paris, France. The Communauto group operates gas-powered cars as well as hybrids and electric ones. It is one of the few operators in the world able to offer its clientele access to self-service vehicles that are available with or without reservation.

Simulation: The Invisible Gatekeeper

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Careem BUS launches in Saudi Arabia with Jeddah to Mecca service

Careem BUS has launched in Saudi Arabia with a direct service between Jeddah and Mecca.

Following on from the successful launch of Careem BUS in Egypt in December 2018, Careem has expanded operations to The Kingdom beginning with a direct bus link between Jeddah and Mecca for SR25 each way.

The service comes as part of Careem’s ongoing commitment to solving transportation issues, improving mobility and creating jobs and is ideal for people flying into Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. The route has been approved by the Saudi Public Transport Authority.

Customers will be able to check the availability of the bus via the app, monitor its arrival and secure a seat. Walk-on passengers will also be accepted. The service is currently cash only, but soon passengers will be able to pay via several payment methods, such as the Careem wallet on the app, or by a registered credit card.

The service operates via a separate app from the ride hailing product and is available for download on iOS and ..