Ridesharing Company Via Launches Service in Tel Aviv

New York-headquartered ridesharing company Via Transportation Inc. is launching its service in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, the company announced Tuesday. Via will collaborate with Israeli public transportation company the Dan Bus Company to launch a pilot for its shared ride service using a fleet of vans operated by Dan. Tel Aviv already has a low-tech van-based ride sharing service as part of the city’s public transportation lineup.

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The pilot, promoted by the Israeli Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance, is set to begin in early 2019 and is promoted by the Israeli Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance. The service will be based on Via’s ride-hailing app, similar to Via's service in cities like New York and Washington, D.C. Rides will start at $2.7 (NIS 10) and go up to $4 (NIS 15) during rush hours. Via will grant 50% discount for elderly passengers, as well as offer reduced price subscription programs.

Founded in 2012 by Israel-born entrepreneurs Daniel Ramot and Oren Shoval, Via also operates in Chicago, Sydney, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and Tokyo. The company is backed by a $50 million investment and strategic collaboration with Daimler AG's van division Mercedes-Benz Vans. To date, it has raised approximately $387 million, according to Pitchbook data.