The shared ride provider continues to widen its reach in the Greater Washington DC area
May 22, 2019 (Alexandria, VA) — Via, the leading provider and developer of on-demand shared transit, is excited to announce the extension of its DC service to Alexandria, Virginia.
Via first launched in Washington DC in August 2016, and the service has since grown to cover the entire District as well as Arlington, VA, and now, Alexandria. With the shutdown of several Alexandria Metro stations beginning May 25th, Via’s timely expansion will provide an affordable, convenient, and reliable transportation option for thousands of commuters.
“We are pleased to extend our service to Alexandria, helping to extend public transit access during these station closures,” said Alex Lavoie, US General Manager of Via. “Via aims to provide the entire greater DC area with an affordable, congestion-reducing method of transportation that complements existing transit infrastructure.”
The expansion into Alexandria extends Via’s service zone by 33% and creates an affordable and convenient shared transportation solution for more than 140,000 commuters traveling to, from, and within Alexandria.
How it works:
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. By grouping multiple passengers into a single shared vehicle, Via reduces congestion and emissions, providing an inexpensive, eco-friendly, and convenient transportation alternative.
Via's world-renowned dynamic ride-pooling technology, developed initially for New York City, has powered more than 70 deployments in more than 15 countries, many in partnership with cities and public transport operators. In DC, Via recently announced a partnership with The Department of Public Works (DPW) to provide District government employees with a new ride sharing service, and a micro transit service with Transco and the Department of For Hire Vehicles.
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.