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Via Awarded Second Phase of Contract to Provide On-Demand Public Bus Technology in Singapore

Published August 28, 2018 3:34 pm, Via NYC
Via Awarded Second Phase of Contract to Provide On-Demand Public Bus Technology in Singapore
Via, the world’s leading developer of dynamic shared ride technology, has been awarded the second phase of a contract to provide on-demand public bus (ODPB) technology in Singapore by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The six-month operational trial will leverage Via’s best-in-class ride matching and routing algorithm as well as the company’s extensive operational expertise to deliver more seamless and convenient bus journeys for commuters.

“Via’s powerful technology is seamlessly integrating with public transit infrastructure around the globe, redefining the way people move around their city,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “We’re delighted to join forces with the LTA to launch this groundbreaking on-demand bus service in Singapore, providing commuters with a convenient and seamless smart transportation experience.”

The second phase of the project will see the development of custom technology localized for Singapore’s public bus commuters and drivers, as well as the deployment of the sophisticated back-end tools required to monitor and optimize the service. The six-month operational trial will be launched with selected services with low travel demand during off-peak hours from December 2018, with Via-led ODPB service leveraging Via’s cutting-edge technology and deep experience with highly efficient vehicle utilization. A local public bus operator will operate the service.

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. Most recently, Via has launched on-demand transit services in Arlington, TX, Queenstown, New Zealand, Newcastle, Australia and West Sacramento, CA, with operations in Berlin, Germany and Los Angeles, CA in 2018.

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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China’s Byton is sending its electric SUV prototypes to the U.S.

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Ride-hailing vs. car ownership: Here’s which really costs more

Andrew Caballero Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images
Uber, the popular ride-sharing service.

If you live in a big city, you've probably heard this question: Why own a car when you can just use a ride-hailing service?

It turns out that thinking you can save money that way may be another urban legend.

New research from travel organization AAA, which advocates for individual motorists, found that ride-hailing services actually cost more per year than owning a car.

AAA compared how much you will pay for both in 20 U.S. cities.

It turns out that the average cost to own a car is $7,321 per year not including parking charges, or $10,049 with parking charges.

Those tallies are based on owning a medium sedan, plus additional costs like gas and insurance. The calculation was also based on driving 10,841 miles annually.

By contrast, ride-hailing services cost $20,118 per year to cover that same distance. That calculation includes the usage of a rental car for longer trips. The average driver takes 2.1 road trips per year, according to AAA.

Those costs do vary by city. Here is a breakdown of how much you stand to pay for ride-hailing based on where you live.

Ride hailing costs by city

City
Annual costs

Atlanta
$17,741

Austin
$19,821

Baltimore
$19,917

Boston
$27,545

Chicago
$22,020

Cleveland
$20,091

Dallas
$16,944

Denver
$20,434

Los Angeles
$17,951

Miami
$17,339

Nashville
$26,397

New York
$21,279

Philadelphia
$23,201

Phoenix
$17,436

Pittsburgh
$18,940

Salt Lake City
$18,866

San Diego
$17,316

San Francisco
$21,972

Seattle
$23,951

Washington, D.C.
$21,093

Source: AAA

*Includes the costs of rental cars for longer trips.

Toyota and Uber Extend Collaboration to Automated Vehicle Technologies

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Uber CEO wants more riders on scooters and bikes, even if it brings in less money

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AutoX is using its self-driving vehicles to deliver groceries

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How efficient is an electric car?

Celeste Vervoort — Copywriter

There is no doubt that in the coming decades there will be many more electric cars and other electric vehicles entering the streets around the globe. Leading this trend is Europe, one of the continents where we already see an accelerating growth in the purchase of electric cars. This blog will shed a light on an important yet seldom asked question: How efficient are these cars, and why does that matter?

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Uber ‘to focus on bikes over cars’

Uber says it plans to focus more on its electric scooter and bike business, and less on cars, despite the fact it could hurt profits. Boss Dara Khosrowshahi said that individual modes of transport were better suited to inner city travel. He also forecast users would make more frequent shorter journeys in future. “During rush… Continue reading Uber ‘to focus on bikes over cars’