Mercedes-Benz LCV Mobility Rolls into Fourth European Town
Mercedes-Benz Vans is extending its LCV-based sharing mobility service following successful launches in Amsterdam, Berlin and London.
ViaVan, the joint venture between global on-demand shared transport specialist Via and Mercedes-Benz Vans, have announced Milton Keynes in UK’s county of Buckinghamshire will be the next town to receive the service.
The service uses Via’s algorithm to route Mercedes-Benz Vito Tourers, allowing passengers to book a shared van through the ViaVan app. Developed originally for New York City, the system claims to have been used for more than 35 million shared rides globally throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In the UK, the technology powers services in Liverpool and Sittingbourne, in partnership with Arriva, and in Oxford in partnership with Go-Ahead. The outfit claims that since launching in London in April, ViaVan has already provided more than 2.5 million shared rides. It is hoped that by grouping multiple passengers into a single shared vehicle, the service could reduce congestion.
Chris Snyder, CEO of ViaVan, said: “Over the next few years, we’re increasingly going to see cities and towns asking how they can provide their residents with transportation that provides the same ease and convenience as private car ownership, and yet still achieves the same environmental and congestion-reducing benefits mass transit.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
