Apple’s hometown will use Via ridesharing to supplement public transit

By Stephen Edelstein Published October 9, 2019

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Would you rather hail a ridesharing car, or hop on a bus? One of the many criticisms of ridesharing is that it competes with public transit, but Apple’s hometown wants the two forms of transportation to coexist. Cupertino, California, has tapped Via to operate so-called “on-demand public transit,” using the company’s vans to connect residents with CalTrain commuter rail.

Recommended Videos

Beginning October 29, commuters will be able to use the Via app (or a phone reservation system) to hail a shuttle van anywhere within Cupertino’s city limits, as well as a zone around the Sunnyvale CalTrain station. Multiple riders will share each vehicle, coordinated by Via’s algorithms. Riders will be directed to “virtual bus stops” within walking distance of their locations.

Having ridesharing customers actually share a vehicle, and minimizing detours through the “virtual bus stops,” Via believes it can keep the service efficient while still offering greater convenience than traditional buses. Riders will be able to hail a shuttle van whenever they want, without being locked into a bus schedule, Via noted.

Via will charge $5 per ride, and will offer multiride passes at $17 a week or $60 a month. Service will operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fleet will consist of six Mercedes-Benz Metris vans (yes, Mercedes makes vans, and it has a deal to provide them for all of Via’s shuttle services), including one wheelchair-accessible van. Via said it plans to expand to 10 vans “over time.” Avis Budget Group will maintain the vans.

Recent studies have shown that services like Uber and Lyft can erode public transit use, but city officials are increasingly looking to ridesharing operators to help supplement mass transportation. Several cities have tried subsidizing Uber and Lyft rides for residents, with mixed results. Via claims its alternative model, which, it’s worth noting, encourages more riders to share vehicles, can turn public transit into a more flexible, on-demand service. The company noted that other California cities, including Los Angeles, already use its technology. Via claims to have started operations, or plans to start, in 80 locations in over 20 countries, with 60 million rides to date.

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

You can now lease a Hyundai EV on Amazon—and snag that $7,500 tax credit

amazon autos hyundai evs lease ioniq 6 n line seoul mobility show 2025 mk08

Amazon has changed how we shop for just about everything—from books to furniture to groceries. Now, it’s transforming the way we lease cars. Through Amazon Autos, you can now lease a brand-new Hyundai entirely online—and even better, you’ll qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit if you choose an electric model like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, or Kona EV.
Here’s why that matters: As of January 2025, Hyundai’s EVs no longer qualify for the tax credit if you buy them outright, due to strict federal rules about battery sourcing and final assembly. But when you lease, the vehicle is technically owned by the leasing company (Hyundai Capital), which allows it to be classified as a “commercial vehicle” under U.S. tax law—making it eligible for the credit. That savings is typically passed on to you in the form of lower lease payments.
With Amazon’s new setup, you can browse Hyundai’s EV inventory, secure financing, trade in your current vehicle, and schedule a pickup—all without leaving the Amazon ecosystem.
It’s available in 68 markets across the U.S., and pricing is fully transparent—no hidden fees or haggling. While Hyundai is so far the only automaker fully participating, more are expected to join over time.
Pioneered by the likes of Tesla, purchasing or leasing vehicles online has been a growing trend since the Covid pandemic.
A 2024 study by iVendi found that 74% of car buyers expect to use some form of online process for their next purchase. In fact, 75% said online buying met or exceeded expectations, with convenience and access to information cited as top reasons. The 2024 EY Mobility Consumer Index echoed this trend, reporting that 25% of consumers now plan to buy their next vehicle online—up from 18% in 2021. Even among those who still prefer to finalize the purchase at a dealership, 87% use online tools for research beforehand.
Meanwhile, Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study reveals that while 86% of U.S. consumers still want to test-drive a vehicle in person, digital tools are now a critical part of the buying journey.
Bottom line? Amazon is making it easier than ever to lease an EV and claim that tax credit—without the dealership hassle. If you're ready to plug in, it might be time to add to cart.

Android

Gemini AI coming to cars as Android Automotive update suggests it’s due soon

The 6.8-inch Pioneer digital media receiver installed in a vehicle's dashboard.

Google appears to be getting ready to sends its Gemini AI into cars through an Android Automotive update.

This would make sense as Android Automotive already uses Google's Assistant to help with those much-needed in-car hands-free requests.

Cars

Watch from the passenger seat as the new Porsche 911 GT3 sets a record at the Nürburgring

911 GT3 with Weissach Package (Manual Transmission), Nürburgring Nordschleife 2025, Porsche AG

If you've ever wanted to race at top speeds around one of the most iconic racetracks in the world, then now is your chance. A new Porsche 911 GT3 just set a record for the fastest time around the Nürburgring in a road car with a manual transmission, knocking almost 10 seconds off the previous best time. And Porsche has released a video of the run filmed from the cockpit, so you can experience the thrills for yourself.

The record was set by legendary driver and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel of a 911 GT3 with the Weissach package, setting a time of 6:56.294. That's 9.5 seconds ahead of the previous record set by the Dodge Viper ACR in 2017 -- though there's some math involved in these time calculations as the track was reconfigured in 2019.