Personal miles are the miles you drive when you’re offline — when you’re not waiting for requests or giving rides — such as when you’re running personal errands. Your Express Drive rental has built-in mileage tracking. It’s connected to your Lyft app so you can always see how many personal miles you’ve driven and how… Continue reading Tracking Your Personal Miles
Category: Mobility Companies
Becky Bucich joins Waymo as Chief Human Resources Officer
By: John Krafcik, CEO As we continue to grow our team here at Waymo, we’re excited to share that Becky Bucich joins us as our Chief Human Resources Officer. Becky will lead our People efforts as we continue to grow our team, designing and enriching our employee experience for Waymonauts, and ensuring Waymo is a… Continue reading Becky Bucich joins Waymo as Chief Human Resources Officer
Giving back to our communities
Being active members of the communities in which we live and work, including Arizona, California, Michigan, Texas, and Washington state, is central to our values at Waymo. While Waymo employees are encouraged to partake in community service throughout the year, WaymoServe is a month focused on volunteerism, designed to support what is meaningful to them.… Continue reading Giving back to our communities
Via Unveils its First Autonomous Vehicle Service as Pilot to Transform Public Transportation
Published July 11, 2019 3:45 pm, Via NYC
Via Unveils its First Autonomous Vehicle Service as Pilot to Transform Public Transportation
The partnership with Busways and EasyMile marks Via’s first autonomous vehicle deployment in the world, serving a community in New South Wales, Australia.
July 11, 2019 (New South Wales, Australia) — Via, the world’s leading developer of on-demand shared mobility solutions, announced today its first public autonomous vehicle (AV) service in the world. The AV program, dubbed BusBot, is now fully operational, serving a community in New South Wales, Australia.
In partnership with local bus operator Busways, Transport for NSW, and AV technology provider EasyMile, BusBot will serve the Marian Grove Retirement Village in Toormina, a suburb of Coffs Harbour. The deployment will serve an entire community of seniors in need of a public transit solution, offering some unique benefits beyond a driverless vehicle.
Using the BusBot app (iOS and Android), users will be able to hail the autonomous BusBot directly from their smartphone. Via’s advanced algorithms will enable multiple riders to seamlessly share the driverless vehicle. The powerful technology will direct passengers to a nearby virtual bus stop for pick up and drop off, and dynamically task the driverless vehicle to stops in real-time, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or inconvenient fixed routes and schedules.
The service marks a milestone for Via’s efforts in autonomous mobility. AV technology is maturing, and Via is building and deploying solutions that will enable AVs to function in real-world situations as part of optimized, shared transportation systems, such as the BusBot deployment.
“If autonomous vehicles are to reach their full potential for providing low-cost, efficient rides, they need to be shared by multiple passengers,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “Via’s sophisticated systems are able to power, in real-time, the movement of millions of connected autonomous shuttles and their passengers, and we’re delighted to be working with BusBot to launch this groundbreaking service.”
Via has provided more than 50 million dynamically-routed rides around the globe, and has applied this experience in shared mobility to AVs. Along with acting as a city-wide network of on-demand, shared vehicles, Via also solves common public transportation challenges, such as filling first-and last-mile transit gaps and acting as a bridge to major trunk services like high-frequency bus or rail lines.
The deployment in Marian Grove began on April 8, 2019 and marks the second phase of BusBot’s pilot program, with plans to operate in the community for 22 weeks, giving Via and its partners time to test increasingly advanced AV elements. Service for riders will be free during the pilot program.
Via has been tapped by cities and transit authorities in the United States and 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. Via most recently demonstrated its autonomous vehicle solutions at CES in 2019. 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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Now, Next, and Future: Julie Derence
A profile series that introduces our team and showcases what we’re working on. I’m Julie Derence and I am a senior software engineer at Uber ATG working to develop self-driving technology for Uber’s ride-sharing service. In my role at Uber ATG, I’m working as part of the team that is laying the foundation for the… Continue reading Now, Next, and Future: Julie Derence
Via launches Apple Pay in the U.S.
Published June 27, 2019 3:57 pm, Via NYC
Via launches Apple Pay in the U.S.
Riding with Via is now easier than ever with the introduction of Apple Pay!
With the latest version of the Via app, riders can directly and securely link payment through their Apple Pay account. Our integration with Apple Pay removes the need for Via riders to manually input credit and debit information, and by using FaceID/TouchID/passcode, Apple Pay is a secure and instant way to hit the road.
How it works:
– New users can set Apple Pay as their default payment method directly during sign up!
– Existing users can add Apple Pay through the “Billing” section of the app menu. Just click on “add a payment method” to connect your Apple Pay account.
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Careem Max seven-seater service launches in Gaza
Careem Max has launched in Gaza. This new service means that Careem customers can order seven-seat vehicles – ideal for groups of passengers, larger familiar and company employees.
We have launched Careem Max based on the results of a study conducted in Gaza Strip as part of our commitment to provide transport services that cover diverse needs.
The Careem market study indicated that there is an increase in customers’ demand for larger type vehicles to accommodate more passengers especially during summer season, as the seven-seat vehicle models are not easily available within the transportation sector in the Gaza Strip.
This reality is compounded with the fact that customers are having difficulty finding a means to communicate with drivers of such vehicles to book rides.
Careem believes that the inclusion of these vehicles into its fleet in Gaza Strip will contribute to the revival of the transport sector, in addition to improving the income of owners of the vehicles.
You asked, we..
Via Announces On-Demand Microtransit in Manor and Austin with Cap Metro
Published June 25, 2019 2:24 pm, Via NYC
Via Announces On-Demand Microtransit in Manor and Austin with Cap Metro
Pickup will debut in Manor, TX and will expand to four Austin neighborhoods later this year.
June 25, 2019 (Austin, TX) — Via, the world’s leading provider and developer of on-demand public mobility solutions, today announced a new microtransit deployment in partnership with Cap Metro, a leading Austin public transit provider. Called Pickup, the new on-demand shared transit network brings door-to-door transportation to the Manor area, and four other Austin neighborhoods later this year.
The new service replaces the MetroBus Route 470 servicing Cap Metro’s Manor Park & Ride, Walmart, City Hall and several additional neighborhoods both in and out of the city limits. Pickup will come to Austin later this year and will serve the four areas included in the MetroLink pilot program.
Using the Pickup 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, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or inconvenient fixed routes and schedules.
Pickup is available weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Commuters can use the service by downloading the Pickup smartphone app powered by Via, available on iOS and Android. Those in the Manor service zone without access to the smartphone app can call 512-527-3222 to book a ride. A single ride costs $1.25, the same charge as a Single Ride pass used to take MetroBus and MetroRapid services. A Capital Metro Day Pass, 7-Day Pass or 31-Day Pass will cover a Pickup ride as well.
The new on-demand service comes after Via and Cap Metro piloted the Pickup service in 2017 and 2018 in Northeast Austin, including the Mueller and Windsor Park neighborhoods, testing the on-demand service’s functionality in the Austin metro area.
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.
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Careem Introduces Ride Packages
We’re always looking for ways to make getting around easier and more affordable.
Whether you need to get to meetings, run errands, or meet up with some friends, did you ever think that you could buy free rides? Careem introduces its latest offering yet; Ride Packages! Buy a bundle of rides and enjoy Dhs25 OFF each ride.
Here’s what you need to know.
DIFFERENT OFFERS.
Ride more and pay less! You can choose between the different available Ride Package options (3, 6, 10 and 20) and enjoy free rides up to Dhs25 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The discount works automatically just like a confirmed promo code.
NO HASSLE.
Pay upfront once, and benefit from a systematic discount of Dhs25 on your rides.
PLAN YOUR EXPENSES.
Cover your day to day rides in advance and plan your monthly transport expenses with Ride Packages. You could even convert your Careem Rewards Points into credits and use them to buy for your package! There are endless ways you could save with Packages.
GET A RIDES PACKAGE.
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Transit and Communauto FLEX launch new partnership in Toronto
Download Transit to find, reserve, and unlock point-to-point carshare vehicles with Communauto FLEX
Toronto, ON – Transit, the leading app for getting around Toronto without your own car, and Communauto FLEX, Toronto’s point-to-point carshare service, announce a new partnership today that makes it easier than ever for Torontonians to get from a-to-b without using their own cars.
Starting today, users of Transit, available for free in the App Store and Google Play, can see the nearest Communauto FLEX vehicles available — then reserve, unlock, and complete their trips, all from within Transit’s app using their Communauto FLEX account.
Users simply tap a Communauto FLEX pin on the map showing the nearest vehicle, reserve the car with a single tap, walk to the vehicle, and tap in Transit to unlock the car. Once the trip is complete, users can end their trip by tapping a final time in Transit.
To celebrate this new addition, Transit users who sign up for Communauto FLEX for the first time receive $20 in driving credit using a special promotional code.
Connecting Torontonians with Communauto FLEX is a natural next step for Transit. The app already integrates realtime information for the TTC, GO Transit, and all major transit operators in the Greater Toronto Area. It’s also completely integrated with Bike Share Toronto. Since 2016, Transit users have purchased passes and unlocked bikes with Bike Share Toronto more than a million times. Today, 40 percent of Bike Share Toronto trips are unlocked with Transit. Transit is also integrated with Uber, allowing users to hail and pay for a ride to the nearest transit connection within the app. Transit has also recently added a feature that allows users in Ontario to purchase transit tickets within the app, starting with the St. Catharines Transit Commission.
With Communauto FLEX, Transit users now have a complete mix of transportation options in Toronto available in a single app, including public transit, bikeshare, ridehail, and carshare. By combining transportation options, Transit makes it easy for Torontonians to get around without their own car.
“We’re proud to announce Communauto FLEX as a partner in Toronto,” said Jake Sion, Chief Operating Officer of Transit. “By making it easier to access carshare in the app that hundreds of thousands of Torontonians use every week, we’re expanding the reach of pointtopoint carshare and reducing the need for people to own their own cars.”
“Communauto’s mission is to provide an affordable and practical alternative to car ownership in combination with transit, biking, walking and other alternative transportation,” said Marco Viviani, Vice President of Strategic Development at Commuanuto. “Technology has a big role in making this possible and this partnership with Transit allows us to make the multimodal experience we want to provide more and more seamless.”
Transit is available in the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting www.transitapp.com
Press kit and visuals: www.transitapp.com/press and toronto.communauto.com/media
About Transit: Transit solves the urban commute in more than 200 cities worldwide. Users can easily navigate public transit with accurate real-time
predictions, simple trip planning, and step-by-step navigation. The app also integrates other transport modes — bikesharing, carsharing, scooters and ridehail — so users can determine the best way to get from A to B. The company is based in Montréal, QC. You can learn more by visiting www.transitapp.com.
About Communauto: Founded in Quebec City in 1994, Communauto is the oldest carsharing service in North America and the one serving the largest number of communities in Canada. With a fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles, the company serves 13 cities each one with a local approach. Among these are Edmonton, Waterloo Region, Hamilton, London, Guelph, Kingston, Ottawa, Gatineau, Montréal/Laval/ Longueuil, Quebec City/Lévis, Sherbrooke, Halifax, and Paris in France. Communauto group operates gas, hybrids and electric cars and offers both roundtrip and freefloating carsharing. Learn more by visiting toronto.communauto.com.