Cupertino taps Via to provide new on-demand public transportation network
Residents
and commuters will soon be able to hail a Via anywhere within the City of
Cupertino, improving public transit and enabling easier connections to CalTrain
October
7, 2019 (CUPERTINO, CA) — The City of Cupertino will
soon offer a new on-demand public transportation network in partnership with
Via, a cutting-edge provider of on-demand public mobility solutions. Starting
October 29, residents and commuters in Cupertino will be able to use the Via
app (or phone reservation system) to hail a shuttle directly from their mobile
devices, providing more efficient connections to CalTrain and increasing
connectivity across the city.
Unlike traditional bus networks that rely on
routes and schedules, Cupertino’s new partnership with Via allows riders to
hail a shared ride right when they need it. The on-demand transit network will
span 11-square-miles — the entirety of the City of Cupertino — with a satellite
zone surrounding the Sunnyvale CalTrain station for commuters. By making public
transportation more comfortable, convenient and affordable, city leaders hope
to encourage residents to leave their private vehicles at home, reducing
traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.
“This partnership with Via is the next
generation of what public transportation can be, allowing us to increase
mobility while taking a step toward our larger goal of reducing traffic
congestion across Cupertino,” said Mayor Steven Scharf.
Using the Via app (iOS and Android), riders will be able to hail a
shuttle directly from their smartphone or tablet. Via’s advanced algorithms
will enable multiple riders to seamlessly share the same 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.
“Via's powerful technology is seamlessly
integrating with public transit infrastructure around the globe, redefining the
way people get around cities," said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of
Via. "We're delighted to join forces with city leadership to bring this
cutting-edge, on-demand shuttle system to Cupertino, providing residents with a
convenient, affordable, and congestion-reducing dynamic transportation
alternative."
Via will operate at $5 per ride, with weekly
and monthly passes available for just $17 a week and $60 a month. Service will
operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m.
In partnership with Avis Budget Group, the
service will start with six Cupertino-branded Mercedes Metris vans, which seat
six passengers in addition to a driver, growing to 10 vehicles over time. The
fleet will also include a wheelchair accessible vehicle for riders needing
greater accessibility. Avis Budget Group helps to provide turnkey fleet
management service, including maintaining the vehicles to ensure they are ready
to hit the road and provide on-demand public mobility solutions to the City of
Cupertino.
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. Neighboring cities like Los Angeles, Pacifica, Marin, West Sacramento
and Orange County also use Via’s technology to operate on-demand transit
networks, as do some of the world’s largest transportation authorities. Via now
has more than 80 launched and pending deployments in over 20 countries,
providing more than 60 million rides to date.
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.