Uber rival Via Van wins three-year licence renewal from TfL
Ride-sharing service Via Van has had its London licence renewed for the next three years, following its launch in the capital last year.
The three-year licence renewal puts Via Van ahead of rivals Uber and Kapten, which are operating on a probationary 15-month licence and a 12-month licence respectively.
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Via Van, a joint venture between data firm Via and Mercedes-Benz, offers professionally chauffered vans for commuters who are heading in the same direction and want to share a ride together.
It says it has provided more than 7m rides in London since it launched in April last year and that its ride-sharing strategy has saved more than 551 tonnes of Co2 and £16.7 M for its customers.
Via Van chief executive Chris Snyder said: “Over our first 15 months in London, we have developed a productive working relationship with TfL and have demonstrated ourselves to be a fit and proper operator.
“We are proud to have received a three year renewal of our license from TfL, and will continue to use our efficient technology for pooled rides to complement and extend public transport while reducing single occupancy vehicles on the roads in London.”
Earlier this year, Via Van joined forces with Transport for London (TfL), which grants licences to operators, in commuter suburb Sutton, where it launched an on-demand bus service.
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Using the app, passengers select their pick-up and drop off locations to book a ride.
Via Van also operates in Amsterdam, Berlin and Milton Keynes.