Tag Archives: ride-share

Daimler, BMW Team Up for Mobility-as-a-Service

Daimler AG and BMW have launched a new brand–NOW–to offer mobility-as-a-service to customers. “We really want to be kind of almost the PayPal of mobility,” said company North American CEO Nat Parker.

The company is split into five segments:

  • REACH NOW offers ticketing and trip planning.
  • SHARE NOW is for car-sharing.
  • FREE NOW offers ride-hailing.
  • PARK NOW provides parking options.
  • CHARGE NOW helps electric-vehicle drivers find charging.

For the moment, the company is focused on the Pacific Northwest; it says it hopes to expand its services by working with nearly 20 U.S. transit agencies. It also hopes to expand in Europe.

Read the whole story here.

Study: TNCs Reducing City Demand for Parking

An academic study released last week showed that transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft are taking a bite out of parking demand, at least in Denver, Colo.

The study found that TNCs contribute to congestion on city streets. Users elected for ride-hail instead of public transportation for one thing, and usually rode alone, effectively turning the ride services into single-occupancy vehicles. Many users reported opting for ride-share so they wouldn’t have to find parking at their destinations, but the study found parking would have been relatively simple to find had they driven.

The study concluded that cities may not need as much parking near restaurants, bars, airports, stadiums, and event venues due to TNCs’ popularity. Read the whole story here, or download the study results here.

D.C. Ditches Parking for Drop-off, Pick-up Zones

On-street parking is being traded for curbside drop-off/pick-up zones in five places in Washington, D.C., as part of an expanding program.

The curb management program began at one spot on Connecticut Ave., near busy Dupont Circle. After a comment period, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced five more of the zones, which will operate 24/7 in other busy corridors. The zones, which will take away some on-street parking spaces, will both help carpoolers and ride-share users and increase pedestrian safety, officials said, and the program follows a model that has worked well during large-scale special events, such as papal visits. The zones are also opened to commercial vehicles making deliveries.

Read more here.