November 11, 2019 (WASHINGTON, DC)-- Via, the leader in public mobility solutions, the District of Columbia Mayor’s Office for Veterans Affairs (MOVA), and the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) announce the launch of VetsRide, an on-demand shared ride program that provides Veterans with access to free transportation to medical, educational, employment, and other opportunities.
The launch of the VetsRide program marks the first time that DFHV and MOVA have partnered with a shared ride provider. Through the VetsRide program, Via’s technology will expand access to affordable and convenient transportation for Veterans with the touch of a button.
The program is aimed at supporting Veterans as they re-engage with the community and the workforce, and transportation is a critical piece of that process. Qualifying Veterans in the D.C. area will be able to book up to four rides a month either directly through the Via mobile app, or by dialing a call-center. The service will include wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and Veterans can register for the service through MOVA.
“We are proud to support our nation’s Veterans through the launch of the VetsRide program with the DC Mayor’s Office for Veterans Affairs and the Department of For-Hire Vehicles,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via. “We have increasingly seen cities ask how they can provide transportation solutions that improve mobility and opportunity for residents who need it most, and we are excited to introduce a cost-effective, convenient, and on-demand mobility offering for Veterans through this program.”
“All of DC veterans deserve a pathway to the middle class and access to their federal benefits, and VetsRide provides that capability through transport to their medical appointments, employment opportunities, education and housing appointments,” said Elliot Tommingo, Director - DC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs.
“DFHV is delighted to support this program that serves the specific needs of veterans in the District of Columbia,” said DFHV Director David Do. “These patriotic residents should be assured that the Bowser Administration is committed to their well-being which includes fulfilling their needs to travel to jobs, medical appointments, or educational opportunities.”
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 network. Via now has more than 90 launched and pending deployments in nearly 20 countries, providing more than 70 million rides to date. The service launched in Washington, D.C. in 2016 and has expanded to include Arlington and Alexandria, VA, in addition to Reagan National and Washington Dulles International Airports.
About Via:
Via is re-engineering public transit, from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic 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 more than 90 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.