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New Media in Transportation

There are a number of uses for new media with transportation. A large amount of new media sources allows riders to track their transportation so they can more effectively plan their time and resources. In New York City, there a number of applications available that make it easier to use different transportation mediums.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

The GPS System was created and realized by the American Department of Defense (DOD) and was originally based on and run with 24 satellites (21 satellites being required and 3 satellites as a replacement). Nowadays, about 30 active satellites orbit the earth in a distance of 20200 km. GPS satellites transmit signals which enable the exact location of a GPS receiver if it is positioned on the surface of the earth, in the earth atmosphere or in a low orbit. GPS is being used in aviation, nautical navigation and for the orientation ashore. Further, it is used in land surveying and other applications where the determination of the exact position is required. The GPS signal can be used without a fee by any person in possession of a GPS receiver. The only prerequisite is an unobstructed view of the satellites (or rather of the sky). The correct name of the system is NAVSTAR (Navigation System for Timing and Ranging), but commonly it is referred to as GPS (Global Positioning System). [1]

The GPS systems have been a very good tool for people all over the world. Although drivers might have some knowledge of the roads being traveled, this tool can actually offer navigation guidance and reduce the chances of getting lost or asking for directions. Nowadays, it incorporates real-time traffic updates to make it easier for drivers to avoid traffic and get to their destination as quickly as possible, it also gives drivers the option of taking shortcuts, using routes with tolls or without tools, and features that can make one's driving experience more convenient.

Google Maps

The logo of the Google Maps App, as displayed on iPhones and Androids.

Google maps is a real-time GPS navigation, traffic, and transit application available online. The application offers real-time traffic navigation through car, bus, train, bike, or even by foot. Google maps will also re-route back on live traffic feed, road closures, and traffic accidents. The app offers information on landmarks, restaurants, and even ratings. Users are able to book tables and even request ride-sharing vehicles through the app. There are options to view Google Maps by gridlock, satellite, and even street view with actual pictures of the streets. Members can also rate landmarks and restaurants and leave comments accordingly.

The real-time GPS navigation is a game changer for new media. The GPS system offers the fastest routes while constantly re-routing for the quickest route based on live traffic feed. Turn-by-turn navigation and lane guidance are provided for user convenience. In June 2013, Google bought Waze to enhance their GPS and maps business. Waze has increased the credibility and the accuracy of the estimated times of arrival for all google maps users worldwide. By acquiring the company Waze, the app can use location settings and track the speed of your vehicle, neighboring vehicles, and overall driving trends to suggest the most quick and efficient way to get to your destination. [2]

Waze

An example of Waze being used in Lower Manhattan

Waze is an application that not only gives drivers turn by turn directions, but uses data from other users to predict traffic patterns and potentially divert drivers to an alternate route. Waze is an example of new media that makes it easier for users to get information from each other. It is not only limited to traffic, but it is also used to find nearby friends, edit maps based on local changes, and even find gas prices so one find the cheapest station. [3] By bringing a social aspect to the GPS system, there is no need to monitor traffic, as users are able to form a community to help each other. Similar to letting your friend know that there is traffic on a certain route, users of services like these can now use them to alert more drivers and not congesting the common routes drivers take. Recently, Waze has been acquired by Google. Google has begun implementing the Waze technology into its popular Google Maps app. [4]

Waze is extremely helpful in the fact that it informs drivers of the accidents and traffic around them. It is very disappointing to have limited time to get somewhere, find out there has been an accident and that is why traffic isn't moving. This is a great app for all drivers, clearly defining the best route or fastest way to get to your destination.

Along with identifying traffic, users on Waze can let other drivers know of any upcoming police cars ahead. This allows drivers to be aware of whats to come up ahead of their drive. This sharing of information is like a built in community on the app were drivers keep others updated along their own ride

In 2015 Waze received a newly refreshed update for its mobile app.[5]. The new app has "higher visibility and clarity." One of the great new features is that Waze will now give you a heads up about traffic before you even leave for your destination. There is something called the "smart calendar." This informs users when road accidents will impact the daily schedule the most. Most importantly Waze will now useless battery consumption on your mobile device.

New GPS Technology

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Garmin, a popular global manufacturer of GPS recently introduced a brand new GPS device that displays navigation directions on a “heads-up display” (HUD) projected directly onto the windshield. This will allow drivers to navigate without taking their eyes off the road. Additionally, smartphones can be used to power the HUD. Any Bluetooth-enabled phone running one of Garmin’s navigation apps (Navigon and StreetPilot) can pair with HUD. Once connected, the HUD then displays navigation details to either a piece of reflective film which can be affixed to the windshield or a reflector lens that attaches directly to the unit. [6]. Apart from the usual information the GPS offers, such as current speed, speed limit, estimated time of arrival and toll routes, it now offers new features such as alerting drivers to which lane they should be in to continue on the right track, upcoming traffic delays and approaching safety cameras. It is also designed to adjust the volume of turn-by-turn directions while listening to music as well as it equipped with an added a built-in USB port on the power cord that connects to the vehicle, allowing drivers with only one available USB charging port the ability to charge both devices at once.

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Kia's UVO Park Assist

Kia's Park Reminder

Nowadays cars are being equipped with technological devices that allow drivers to drive more safely, comfortably and possibly efficiently. Such examples are lane-departure warnings, park assist, blind-spot intervention, collision avoidance systems and other features that rely on cameras and laser sensors. Cars are now being manufactured with Infotainment systems with voice recognition that has applications similar to smartphones and tablets, making them user-friendly and very convenient. The South Korean Kia cars have a "park reminder" UVO eServices application. Whenever a vehicle is parked, the location can be sent to one's smartphone. When it's time to return to the parked vehicle the UVO eServices application to help to guide people back. This new feature also relies on GPS technology. [7]

MTA Bridges and Tunnels Drive Time App

MTA Drive Time App interface

MTA Bridges and Tunnels Drive Time is an app that shows drivers the current traffic speed and travel time for any of the MTA’s seven bridges and two tunnels. The estimated time to get through each crossing is calculated using data collected from E-ZPass Transponders and the information is updated every 5 minutes. In addition to displaying travel time through MTA bridges and tunnels, the app also displays travel time from any of those crossings to major destinations such as airports and connecting highways. The app is meant to help drivers plan their trips before they leave their houses, but drivers should never use the app while driving because it can be distracting.[8]

New Media Helping Public Transportation Riders

A subway map in a phone being used

Nowadays it is not necessary to unfold a big subway map to know where to get getting off, or how long the bus or train might take to get to one's location, or how long that trip will last. There are all types of applications available for people to download on smartphones so that they can have easier access to the information needed when they are taking the train or the bus.[9] This facilitates the lives of people by actually allowing them to be prepared for travel, which leads to a good management of time. This application will inform if there is any work being done on the railroads, if there are delays with the trains, will give you alternatives for other trains that can get people to their destination and if there is something wrong with the train. For the bus riders, there is also part of the application that will help them choose what bus to take and the scheduled times for the bus stop where passengers will be located. Usually, the times that will appear on the application will be an estimate of the time the bus takes to get to the certain bus stop when there is not much traffic. Due to the unpredictability of New York City's traffic, most of the times the buses will be delayed for some reason or other but only occasionally when traffic is at its worst.

Many countries in Europe have applications meant to help tourists and locals navigate through their public transportation systems, whether that be the train, bus, or railroad. These applications have changed the way people plan their commutes and allows individuals to see a map of the city without connecting to cellular data, a huge plus if you're traveling from abroad. There are many apps like Spotted by Locals, The Fork, Smart Traveler, Pretty Streets, GoEuro, Uber, Google Translate, Hotel Tonight, and many more [1]

On the Go! Travel Kiosks

An Example of MTA's Touch-Screen Kiosk

In 2014 New York City's subway system (MTA) installed new futuristic automated touch-screen kiosks with an aim of improving the travel experience of subway and bus riders. The first batch of on-the-go information kiosks we placed in the City's Grand Central Station. The screens are huge interactive navigation centers, which give real-time, up-to-date information about a destination and of possible service disruptions on the way. It offers simple visual station directions with transfers and line alerts, the countdown to the train arriving, relevant service updates, and a digital content loop. The map can actually draw one's route as well as give details about transfers along the way. These new touch points are being paid for by Control Group with the hopes that advertising revenue generated by the high-tech machines will pay for themselves.[10]


Countdown Clocks

An LED countdown clock on the number 1 line
An LCD countdown clock on the BMT Broadway Line

Countdown clocks are electronic signs in subway stations that let riders know in real time how many minutes they have to wait before the next train arrives. This information is displayed on a LED screen and also announced over the public address system. By showing when the next train is expected to arrive, countdown clocks alleviate the psychological stress caused by long waits on the platform. In addition to providing train arrival information, countdown clocks are also capable of providing details about service delays. For the convenience of the rider, they have been installed not just on the platforms but also near the turnstiles. This allows riders to find out whether there are any delays in service before paying their fare.[11]

As of right now, countdown clocks can be found on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and L lines. [11] On the numbered lines, the countdown clocks are powered by a computer system called Automatic Train Supervision (ATS) which monitors a train’s location, speed, and route in real time and feeds this data to an algorithm to create an estimate of the train’s arrival time. On the L line, the countdown clocks are powered by Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC), a signaling system that also has the ability to provide real-time information about train arrivals.[12]

The MTA has plans to install countdown clocks throughout the rest of the subway system. The number 7 line is expected to receive countdown clocks once CBTC has been fully installed on the 7 line. The lettered lines are in the process of getting new countdown clocks with LCD screens, which are a visual upgrade over the LED screens currently in use. Unlike the old countdown clocks, the new countdown clocks will be powered by Bluetooth instead of ATS or CBTC. The advantage of using Bluetooth is that this does not require making substantial and costly modifications to existing infrastructure.[13]




MTA Subway Time App

MTA Subway Time App

MTA Subway Time is an app that displays in real time the number of minutes that riders have to wait before the next train arrives. With this app, riders are now able to view on their phones the same information that is shown on the countdown clocks in subway stations.[12] Currently, the app includes a total of 202 stations covering the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and L lines, the 42nd Street Shuttle and the Staten Island Railway.[14] Like the countdown clocks, MTA Subway Time relies mostly on data generated by ATS and CBTC.[12]

The opening screen of the app features a menu where users can select one of these lines to view all of the stations that it serves. Users can click on a station to view real-time arrival estimates for up to nine trains approaching that station from either direction. The arrival data can be refreshed at any time by clicking the refresh icon at the upper-right corner of the screen.[12]

When users select a line, the app also shows whether the line has any service changes at the moment. The app does this by synchronizing with the mta.info website which displays planned service changes and real-time service disruptions.[12]




LIRR's Free Train Time App

LIRR's Free Train Time App

For MTA Long Island Rail Road riders, transit life just got easier with the emergence of the TrainTime App. LIRR customers can obtain the most up-to-date train information available in MTA's effort to improve customer service, whether it is the next train arrival time or the fare of a specific ride. Since many of these trains arrive in intervals of time usually between half-an-hour to an hour, customers who do not have access to the train schedule pamphlets will find that this app is extremely useful in helping them arrange their schedules efficiently. New features include easier usage of Station Picker Screen, improved Arrival Countdown Screen, enhanced Trip Search capability, detailed station parking information, and a more efficient server. [15]





NJ Transit Mobile App

Njtransit.jpg

For NJ transit rail passengers,they could also avail the facility of mobile app. Passengers could see the schedules for trains and get transfer updates. Plus you could also purchase the digital ticket which is an efficient way of buying ticket rather than standing in line during the peak hours. [16]











MTA Bus Time App

MTA Bus Time App

In 2014, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority introduced a bus tracking app, which tracks the buses within the New York City area. The app displays the location of buses and which stop they are currently approaching or departing. With over 164 routes and 9,000 stations integrated into the tracking system, the app covers a majority of the city. The app currently works through texts and web browsers. Users can also download the app for free on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores.[17] Using the app, daily passengers can text to a code to receive the information and get a list of bus stops. They can also scan the bus stop's QR code using a mobile device. The most recent and frequently searched buses will appear under "Your Recent Searches." In June 2015, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was testing an additional feature in the Bronx, which shows the current traffic conditions to hopefully give passengers a more accurate wait time approximation.[18] The app currently works through texts and web browsers. Users can also download the app for free on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores. As technology evolves, the MTA will eventually have a system where people can track the location of all subway trains and buses from station to station.[19]

Digital Information Screens on Buses

The MTA is currently testing digital information screens to be installed on 3,600 buses in its current fleet. The digital screens will be able to display a variety of information such as the route, the next stop, and planned service changes. The digital screens will also be able to show advertisements, opening up a new source of advertising revenue for the MTA. Starting in 2017, every new bus delivered to the MTA will have the digital information screens pre-installed.[13]


The Weekender App

The Weekender displays a map indicating which stations are affected by service changes on the weekends.

The Weekender is an app that uses an interactive map to illustrate how subway service is affected by track work on the weekends. There are three key features of this app:

Service by Station

Users can click on a station to look for details on any planned service changes affecting that station. Alternatively, users can click on the map to zoom to a specific location. After users zoom in on the map, stations, where service is affected by track work, will be shown as blinking dots. Users can click on any blinking dot to view the planned service changes affecting that station.[20]

Service by Line

Users can click on the symbol for any subway line to view the planned service changes affecting that line. On the map, the selected line will be shown in its original color while the other lines will be grayed out. Stations along this line with no service in one or both directions will be shown as blinking dots.[21]

Service by Borough

Users can click on any borough to view a list of the planned service changes affecting that borough.[22]





TripPlanner+ App

TripPlanner displaying a map of the recommended route

TripPlanner+ is an app that displays in both text and map format up to three different routes that users can take to get from one location to another using MTA services. The routes are determined based on the following criteria set by the user:

  • the origin and destination of the trip
  • the time when the user starts or ends the trip
  • the date of the trip
  • whether the user wants to minimize transfers, fare, total travel time, or walking time
  • the maximum number of miles that the user wants to walk
  • whether the user wants to travel by subway, local bus, express bus, commuter rail, or any combination of these

For each route that meets the criteria specified by the user, the app uses published train or bus schedules to estimate the total travel time. If the date specified by the user is on a weekend, the app takes into account the planned service changes on that weekend when determining what route the user should take.[23]



Citymapper

Citymapper

Citymapper is an application that allows users to plan their trip from one location to another with their estimated time of arrival. The modes of transportation supported on this app are a train, bus, bike, car-sharing, and Uber. It sources its data from different places, like Google and Apple Maps.[24] This app not only works for New York City residents but it also extends it reach to other 21 cities around the world. Some examples include London, Washington D.C., Vancouver, Madrid, Los Angeles, and even Barcelona. This app not only informs users about bus timing but it also shows how many minutes away the bus is from where an individual is currently standing. It also warns of train delays as well as gives notifications to during commuting hours. The app's latest update lets users set an alarm offline as a reminder to get off the train at his or her stop. [25] It also gives information on Citi Bikes and how far they are from where a person is currently standing and how many are left at that particular station. Along with bike information, it also gives information on the NYC ferries.


Transit App

Transit App Logo‎

There is another app that functions similarly and is called “Transit App: Real Time Tracker”. This app helps you to get going in over 100 cities. It displays all nearby transport options and departure times. It allows you to know exactly where your bus or train is on the map in real-time. If the bus is running late, it shows you an alternative route or it allows you to request an Uber, with their expected time of arrivals. Users can even view the closest bike share station, along with the number of available bikes at the nearest station. The newest features on the app allow users to get reminders before their bus or train arrives and get notifications when the user is approaching their destination This app is currently used in the United States, Europe, and Canada. [26] [27]


HopStop

Hopstop logo

HopStop is an online mobile app that allows users to get door-to-door directions from their location to their destination via public transportation, walking, biking, or driving. It has directions for over 300 cities worldwide. The application features directions to nearby subway stations and bus stations, trip routes with multiple destination options, estimated travel time, the cost of a taxi ride, alerts about accidents and delays in real-time, and wheelchair and stroller friendly routes. [28] Another feature that HopStop offers is the schedule that trains arrive at the station. Although the times may not be completely accurate, it gives users a general idea when the next train will arrive. This application is useful for tourists going to cities, with which they are unfamiliar. They can easily open this application and find out how to get to their destination in a minimal amount of time. Since this application features so many different routes, it makes it easier to choose which source of transportation will be the most efficient one.

This is extremely useful in New York City. We all know how annoying it can be to wait for the subways, especially when we have somewhere to go, and sometimes may take up to 20 minutes to come. They are unpredictable, some days they take two minutes and other days they are extremely aggravating. This is a great resource, and great that it gives you various routes to take. Some people prefer to walk to another subway station, while others will prefer to take two subways and just transfer trains to get to their destination. Either way, this app will have a way to do so. Additionally According to Engadget.com Apple Ios devices have shut down Hopstop technology on their devices as of October 2015. Apple hopes to add it's own updated transit apps that will compete with apps like Hopstop [29]


Moovit

Moovit App Logo

Moovit is an Israeli-based start-up app that helps public transportation users get from point "A" to point "B". This is all done by allowing the users to accurately predict their arrival time to the destination, which includes seeing minute-by-minute updates as to when a certain bus, train, or subway will arrive at the stop. This app currently serves over 58 countries, 700 cities worldwide, with approximated twenty-eight million users. This company has a feature called Omnisearch, which allows users to find the best route by searching addresses or stations and comparing their transit options. It can be personalized to add certain places to the user's favorites, which conveniently shows the arrival time and show the user's history. [30] In addition, actor and entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher decided to invest in this start-up app to help introduce it to big cities in India and China, as of November 2015. [31] [32]



Embark NYC

Embark NYC

Embark NYC is a transportation app that allows users to plan their commute according to their arrival or departure times. Results also include what transfers users must make, the duration of their commute and whether there are any delays or advisories. With location services on the map will display the closest train station nearby. Additionally, Embark NYC features an interactive MTA subway map that shows each station's train schedule. This map also works underground without service. This user-friendly app is only offered to iPhone and iOs users.

New Media in Fare Payment Systems

Public transportation agencies can integrate wireless technology such as smart cards and mobile phones into their fare payment systems to give riders more flexibility in managing their fare payments.

MTA eTix

The eTix app interface

MTA eTix is a ticketing app that allows riders of the Long Island Railroad and MetroNorth Railroad to purchase train tickets from their mobile phones at any time and location. The app is convenient because riders can check schedules, view service status, and purchase tickets without waiting in line. After a ticket is purchased, it gets saved in the electronic wallet within the app. When the conductor on board the train asks for the ticket, the rider simply shows the ticket on the phone screen to the conductor who then scans the ticket with a handheld device. [33]

The MTA is expecting to streamline online fare payments for the LIRR, MetroNorth, subway, and buses so that riders transferring between those systems can pay their fares using a single app and a single transit account. To make this possible, the MTA will implement a new fare payment system for its subway and bus lines.[33]


MTA’s New Fare Payment System

The MTA is expecting to eventually install a new fare payment system that will replace the MetroCard. Back in the 1990s, the MetroCard was rolled out to replace subway tokens and enable free transfers between subways and buses.[34] Since the MetroCard system is now becoming outdated, the MTA wants to transition to a new fare payment system that will let riders pay their fares by waving smartphones, bank cards, or MTA-issued smart cards over contactless readers. With a contactless fare payment system, riders will board buses and pass through turnstiles much more quickly because they no longer have to waste time trying to swipe cards at the correct speed. Moreover, riders will be able to manage the balance on their accounts using the Internet instead of physical cards that can be lost or damaged. As a result, riders will be able to add money to their balance without having to go to a station vending machine.[35]

MTA OMNY

OMNY.jpg

In 2019, the MTA introduced new fare payment system called OMNY. Any rider could either tap contactless credit, debit, or reloadable prepaid card at an OMNY reader and be on the way, or tap the smart phone, smart watch, or wearable at an OMNY reader and enjoy the ride. [36] Registering for OMNY allows users to see all of their previous trips, manage their payment methods, and communicate with MTA customer service methods. [37] However, like with most modern technology, many people have privacy concerns about OMNY. Since OMNY has the credit card information of riders and keep track of information regarding previous rides, including when a user enters the subway, people are worried that their information could be leaked if MTA's cybersecurity measures are not strong enough. Additionally, OMNY anonymizes that data and uses to figure out how to improve services. However, research has shown that data on the internet can never truly be anonymized. The MTA has promised to keep users' data safe, but some describe their official privacy policy as "weak and ambiguous."[38]

Rideshare Services

Rideshare is defined as rides or means of transportation especially among commuters in which an agency is set up to devise a ridesharing program beneficial to all parties involved (riders and drivers).

Way2Ride

Way2Ride's Mobile Interface

Traditional yellow Cab services Way2ride is a consumer-facing mobile app that makes the taxi experience faster and easier. Being delivered by Verifone initially in the New York City area, the Way2ride app allows consumers to pay for their taxi rides with any smartphone at any point during the ride, applying pre-set preferences such as credit card, tip, and receipt. Riding taxis was never that easy and simple.

Way2Ride debuted in September 2015. Way2Ride’s major competitors include Uber, Lyft, and Hailo to name a few. Unlike other ridesharing services, Way2Ride can only hail NYC yellow/green taxicabs. Users have greater freedom of picking their ride in other ridesharing apps. For example, Uber users can request a mid-sized car to fit up to four passengers through UberX or request a larger vehicle to fit up to six passengers through UberXL. [39] Consumers have argued that Way2Ride is less cost-effective, as users are charged a $1.95 service fee for even short trips. However, Way2Ride may be attractive for some users because there is no surge pricing. This makes Way2Ride much cheaper than competitors, like Uber, during busy traffic hours. Unlike other ridesharing services, Way2Ride allows users to pay for rides regardless of whether or not it was hailed on the street or requested by phone. To do this, users must “check-in” to a cab once they enter the vehicle by tapping their phone against the car’s television screen. [40][41] [42]

Uber

Uber

Uber is an American venture-funded startup and transportation network company based in San Francisco, California that makes mobile application software ("app") that connects passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire and ridesharing services. The company arranges pickups in dozens of cities around the world.

Initially, Uber drivers had cars such as Lincoln Town Cars, Cadillac Escalades, BMW 7 Series, and Mercedes-Benz S550 sedans. After 2012, Uber added a wider selection of cars to market to a broader cross-section of the market, called UberX. Cars are reserved by sending a text message or by using a mobile app. Using the apps, customers can track their reserved car's location.[43]

Uber is a very interesting concept. It shows that people are willing to pay for convenience. From my experience, the fare is about 30% higher than a regular yellow cab. When it rains or snows, Uber has very heavy price gouging, charging a minimum of $24 or even $36 per ride even if you are only going a few blocks. I am very curious to see what comes of the Uber situation as it seems to have opened a can of worms in the transportation world.

Uber has also recently released it's New York City Pass available to users that have consistently traveled with Uber to and from the city. The pass offers a deal on rides back and fourth from two specifically set locations before purchasing the deal. The Uber pass is then a one time fee of 9.99 and promises to not have trips from the two destinations set with one atlas being in the city to cost more than $31 dollars. As you move away from the areas you have originally designated the amount of discount received becomes less and less as you leave the radius. The pass is good for about 1 month and it is not necessarily true that it will be offered to the user immediately after it expires. It is based on a constant use basis, only for the user that constantly travel to and from the city. It is a very useful step towards helping the customers who use the app more due to Uber's appearance of having high pricing.

Incidents and Criticism

With more and more people using Uber to commute around the city, there had been many reports and incidents where the driver harassed their passengers. In April 2015, a 23-year-old woman was reported to be sexually harassed by her Uber driver in Wisconsin. After getting into the front passenger seat of the car, the driver started inappropriately touching the woman's arms and legs.[44] The driver reportedly said he was going to take her somewhere and didn't allow her to exit the vehicle when asked. The confrontation resulted in a few bruises that were found on the woman's leg. Following the police report, they were only able to partially identify the driver from the receipt the victim had provided.

Other altercations have happened where drivers pretending to be uber drivers would pick up customers. These situations would lead to uncomfortable life threatening situations where trust issues also build. This leads to troublesome reviews leaving passengers constantly worrying if the service is to be trusted.

Uber has suspended its operations in Sweden after it was determined that the service was violating local Swedish laws. Specifically, Uber suspended UberPop, meanwhile, UberX will continue to operate in Sweden. This is one of the several examples that Uber's popularity is under intense criticism for violating local laws. [45]

In May 2016, Uber and Lyft terminated its services in Austin, Texas due to a lawsuit against the companies for the improper screening of drivers. The city had required to screen their drivers via a background check and fingerprinting to ensure that drivers don't have criminal records. The impact of this change would lead to a slower hiring process and a stricter corporate structure. However, the companies refused to integrate their hiring process, thereby canceling all services in the city. Such decisions led over 10,000 drivers to be jobless. Uber believes Checkr, a third-party provider, is able to effectively review new hires' background. However, Austin's City Council did not agree. With these changes, Get Me, another car service provider, will be able to claim the majority of the market share in Austin, Texas. [46]

Effects on the Taxi Industry

With the emergence of ride-sharing apps, consumers are the ultimate beneficiaries since they now have a plethora of options to travel around the city, which makes transportation much more accessible as well as cheaper due to its competitive nature. However, there has been no shortage of negative effects that ride-sharing apps such as Uber and Lyft has had on the taxi industry.

Taxi-medallions-uber.jpg

The taxi industry has been a regulated industry since the 1930s in major cities such as New York and Chicago. There are a limited number of taxi medallions sold to cab owners, which is essentially a licensing fee paid to the city, and the limited number of medallions puts a cap on how many taxis can operate in the city. But ride-sharing apps have circumvented this high barrier to entry, allowing drivers to sign up with ease without a hefty down payment. New York taxi medallions were worth as much as a million dollars in 2014, but are only worth around $170,000 now. [47]

This poses a problem for taxi drivers who borrowed huge sums of money to buy a medallion years ago. As they are still paying off the loan, their ever-declining revenues as a result of ride-sharing apps are no longer enough to even pay interest on the loan. Many have had to sell their medallions in order to pay off loans, but the medallions are worth only a fraction of what they paid for and they still owe hundreds of thousands of dollars even after selling their medallions. [48] Following numerous demonstrations in support of a cap on ride-hail vehicles, New York finally became the first major American city on August 8, 2018 to halt new vehicle licenses for ride-hail services. This new legislation will cap the number of for-hire vehicles for a year, allowing the city to deliberate on future actions regarding the industry while attempting to curb road congestion. [49]

Although this legislation can be seen as a win for the taxi industry, it is nothing more than a temporary solution that does little to slow down a secular trend of society relying on ride-sharing apps. In the end, it is the consumers that suffer from higher prices, longer wait times and lose an alternative option to the unreliable subway system.

Lyft

Lyft

Growing at a slower pace than Uber, but offering stiff competition is a service called Lyft. Lyft is also a peer-to-peer ridesharing app, based in San Francisco, California, much like Uber. Lyft operates in 65 cities across 30 states. Besides the original Lyft service, Lyft also offers Lyft Plus and Lyft Line. Lyft Plus is a six-passenger ride, which is more convenient for people who need additional space. In April 2014, Lyft acquired Rover, a transit company, which lead to the company creating Lyft Line. [50] In August 2014, Lyft launched Lyft Line, which allows passengers to share their rides with other people whose destination is the same or similar route so that they can pay a lower price for the service. With Lyft Line, passengers not only benefit from saving money but also can meet with other people who share their rides. They can see the names and photos of the other passengers before sharing the ride with them. [51]

Lyft has faced plenty of legal trouble being able to operate in several states. Lyft has fought off cases, for the most part, and has following Uber in terms of states to target next. Lyft also faced another huge issue in mid-2014. The Better Business Bureau of the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California gave both Lyft and Uber an F for continuous complaints and issues. [52]

Juno

Juno Logo

Juno is a recently created ride-sharing service that is about to exit its final beta stage. Juno's mission is "Juno Treats Drivers Better, Drivers Treat You Better". They focus on fair treatment of their drivers to allow their business to thrive. By doing this and make this a significant value o their company, Juno hopes to be a leader in the ride-sharing service. According to their website, Juno only accepts the highest rated drivers (from other ride-sharing services) to drive with Juno.

Juno structures its equity in a way that the driver's equity will be 50% of the firm by 2026. Juno also announced that they will be taking a 10% cut from each ride, compared to Uber's 20%-25%, hoping to gain driver loyalty and retain drivers that are happier.




GetTaxi

Gett Logo

GetTaxi, also known as Gett, is an Israeli-based startup that develops and operates the web and mobile-based taxi cab ordering service of the same name. It is an international Uber competitor making a big impact in NYC and has been reducing fixed and predictable pricing by up to 25 percent. Aiming to compete more squarely with Uber’s UberX service, Gett offers $10 rides anywhere between Houston St. and Central Park South in Manhattan, which would beat just about any Uber fare in that area. Gett introduced this promotion last summer but because of the success, it stayed in effect. When the summer ended, Gett kept that pricing structure in place for Manhattan, where market share against Uber is hard to come by, especially given the various modes of transportation outside of ordering a driver. [53]

Gett was founded by Israeli entrepreneurs Shahar Waiser and Roi More. Waiser came up with the idea in the summer of 2009 during a thirty-minute wait for a taxi to the airport in Palo Alto. GetTaxi was launched two years later. The service's beta version started operating in Tel Aviv during 2011 summer and on July 2011 GetTaxi was launched in London.[54]

Unlike Uber’s Surge pricing, which multiplies the fare based on a mysterious algorithm, Gett is either on peak time or not. During peak time, users are charged an additional $10 flat.[53]

Gett says it has thousands of cars in the New York area and that it takes between five and ten minutes to hail a licensed black car.[53]

Gett also operates internationally in cities like London, Moscow and Tel Aviv, with New York being its first market in the United States.[53]

The application is compatible with iPhone, BlackBerry and Android platforms.[54]

DIDI Chuxing

Didi.jpg


DiDi Chuxing is a company that provides many kinds of transportation services, including taxi hailing, private car hailing, Hitch (social ride-sharing), and DiDi Chauffeur through its technology network. Additionally, it also provides Car, minibus, and bike rental. We can buy these services through its app. It has more than 450 million users across over 400 cities in China. By using this company’s app services, people can have efficient and economical transportation services than we have before. On the other hand, it also develops its institution on Artificial Intelligence technology, machine learning and computer vision.

We can see many functions on its app. Such, as special car service, Chauffeur services, taxi, rental, and public transportation services. We can still get the latest notification on the road from this app. We can better manage our route through its app services to avoid the traffic and incident. Lastly, it is free, and we can download from the App Store and Google Play Store. [55]

Via

Via

Via Transportation, Inc. [56], also known as Via, was founded in 2012 by Daniel Ramot and Oren Shoval. Via is a rideshare company based in New York City and so far only operates in three of the five NYC boroughs which include Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, as well as Washington DC and parts of Chicago. Ramot and Shoval are both Israeli entrepreneurs who based Via off of taxis in Israel called Sheruts. Via initially ran only in Manhattan until the service expanded to Chicago in November 2015. [57] Via operates as a pooled transportation service for a flat rate of $5 plus tax. Additional fees may apply depending on location and other circumstances. Users would request a ride via the Via app and wait approximately five minutes before a Via vehicle picks them up at the nearest corner. The user is also able to track their driver as they're on the way for pickup. The driver would drop the passengers off at the nearest corner of their location as opposed to the exact address as a way to expedite their service. The company refers to this method as a "corner-to-corner service". Benefits of being a Via user include paying for their transportation using commuter benefits cards awarded by the app, WageWorks, and others. In addition, if the user refers another person with their code, their friend would receive $10 of Ride Credit and the one who referred the person would also receive $10 of Ride Credit after their friend uses their first ride.


Citi Bike [58]

Citi Bike.jpeg

Citi Bike is a privately owned public bicycle sharing system that serves most parts of New York City in all five boroughs. It is the largest bike sharing program in the United States.[59]

Alta Bicycle Share was chosen in September 2011 to develop a system, which operates without a city subsidy. The company spent US$41 million to be its lead sponsor for six years. The system opened to the public in May 2013 with 332 stations and officially with 6,000 bikes. As of August 31, 2014, the total number of annual subscribers is 93,184, and Citi Bike riders took an average of 34,176 rides per day.[59]

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