PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, moovel announced the public launch and first pilot of RideTap, an SDK (software development kit) that offers any app instant access to a growing network of public and alternative transportation providers. Available today, Portland’s TriMet Tickets app now leverages RideTap to connect public transit riders to additional transportation options. TriMet Tickets app users can find a nearby Lyft or car2go within the app’s navigation drawer to help them get to and from their public transit stop. Initially this pilot includes Lyft and car2go, but will eventually add other local transportation options, including bike share and taxi.
Last month, GlobeSherpa - the maker of the TriMet Tickets app - merged with RideScout to form moovel N.A., Daimler’s answer to the current disconnect between public and private transportation options in North America.
“Daimler is invested in organizing all forms of traditionally siloed transportation into one well-connected experience,” said Nat Parker, CEO of moovel North America. “Since public transit is at the core of our modern transportation ecosystem, moovel aims to get more riders on buses, trains and subways by solving that first/last mile challenge with RideTap. Portland’s TriMet public agency was GlobeSherpa’s first customer and now serves as RideTap’s first host app and partner in connecting the city’s transportation.”
Recent research points to a growing app-fatigue culture: consumers spend 85 percent of their time on smartphones using the same five apps. Today’s most successful transportation services are reacting to consumer behavior by extending functionality beyond the borders of their own app and into platforms where they are more useful. Instead of riders leaving their favorite apps to search for a ride or other transit information, RideTap aims to bring that connected transportation experience inside any third party app. By embedding the RideTap SDK, real-time transit, rideshare, carshare, bikeshare or a combination of options become instantly available to an app’s users.
Supporting Quotes:
car2go: “As a part of the Daimler family, we’re excited to support moovel’s overall vision of a convenient, connected transportation ecosystem,” said Paul DeLong, President and CEO of car2go N.A. “The RideTap pilot continues moovel’s mission to seamlessly align mobility options and we’re delighted to work with TriMet to help Portland’s riders get where they’re going with a well-connected, mobile experience.”
Lyft: "Partnerships are core to Lyft's mission, so we jumped at the chance to work with TriMet to bridge the last-mile gap, expanding access to transit for Portland riders. With RideTap, passengers can easily find Lyft and TriMet rides through a single app, making it easier than ever to live in Portland without a car," said Emily Castor, Director, Transportation Policy, Lyft.
TriMet: “We hope this new feature will help our riders find options for their first or last mile of a trip, allowing them to more easily reach their destinations,” said Alan Lehto, director of policy and planning at TriMet. “We’re looking forward to getting feedback from our riders to see if the new tool helps improve their ability to use transit and other modes to reach their destinations.”
For more information on RideTap, visit www.RideTap.io.
About moovel N.A.
moovel N.A. LLC, a part of moovel Group GmbH, enables seamless multimodal experiences and connected transit commerce through mobile applications. Led by CEO Nat Parker, moovel is headquartered in Portland, OR with a second office in Austin, TX. For more information, please visit www.moovel.com/US.
moovel Group GmbH was founded by Daimler AG, the maker of Mercedes-Benz, with the global mission to find solutions for the disconnected and ever-changing state of urban transportation and to discover how new technologies will affect the way we’ll move tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.moovel-group.com.
About Lyft
Lyft was founded in June 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer to reconnect people and communities through better transportation. Lyft is the fastest growing rideshare company in the U.S and is available in more than 190 cities. Lyft is preferred by drivers and passengers for its safe and friendly experience, and its commitment to driving positive change for the future of our cities.
About car2go
car2go N.A., LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, offers an innovative mobility solution in rapidly growing urban areas via a carsharing network of eco-friendly smart fortwo vehicles. A flexible and "on demand" mode of transportation, car2go complements existing public transportation by bridging the gaps between the "first and last mile" of a member's commute. Today, car2go’s global operation is the largest, fastest-growing carsharing program in the world with more than 1,200,000 registered members and a fleet of 14,500 vehicles in 30 locations across the globe.
The innovation and environmental sustainability of car2go have earned international acclaim, including TripAdvisor’s 2015 "Travelers’ Choice" award, "Best Carshare" from the Vancouver Courier, "2015 Best CarSharing Service" from Best of D.C., "2014 Best CarSharing App" from Best of D.C., recognition from the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the "Greater Austin Business Award" for its positive impact on the city's traffic, and the prestigious "2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award" from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Further information on car2go is available at car2go.com and media.daimler.com/ms/car2go/e.
About TriMet
TriMet provides bus, light rail and commuter rail service in the Portland, Oregon, region. Our transportation options connect people with their community, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution — making our region a better place to live. Learn more at trimet.org.
