Mercedes’ Ridesharing ViaVan Service Just Launched in London
While Londoners can’t hail an Uber in the city anymore, a new transportation venture may fill the void. Mercedes-Benz and Via have launched their jointly owned ViaVan service in Zones 1 and 2 of the city, giving Londoners a “ride-pooling” option that bridges the gap between plain ridesharing and mass transit. Through the ViaVan app, passengers will be seamlessly matched in real time with other riders headed their way, sharing their trip in a professionally-chauffeured vehicle.
To mark the launch, for a limited time all ViaVan rides to or from Zone 1 will cost just 3 pounds ($4.22).
The service will be powered by Via’s dynamic ride-pooling technology, which was developed initially for New York City, and which has provided more than 30 million shared rides globally, from Australia to California. This is the second city launch for ViaVan, following its launch in Amsterdam last month.
ViaVan’s aim is to reduce city congestion and give drivers an opportunity to make decent wages by providing “dynamic” mass transit systems, ViaVan CEO Chris Snyder said in a statement.
By grouping multiple passengers into a single shared vehicle, ViaVan reduces congestion and emissions, providing an inexpensive, eco-friendly, and convenient transportation alternative.
ViaVan can be downloaded now on Android and iOS.
