On-demand shared transit provider ViaVan expanded its shared ride service in London. ViaVan’s affordable, efficient, and congestion-reducing shared rides will now be available in zones one through 5, including service to London City Airport. The expansion follows on the heels of the October launch of operations in Milton Keynes, and its successful debuts in Amsterdam and Berlin earlier this year.

“ViaVan is redefining mobility across London, providing residents with an innovative transportation solution that provides the same ease and accessibility as private car ownership and taxi trips, but with the affordability and congestion-reducing benefits of mass transit,” said Chris Snyder, CEO of ViaVan.

ViaVan, a joint venture between Via and Mercedes-Benz Vans, uses Via's dynamic ride-pooling technology. The algorithm enables multiple riders to seamlessly share a single vehicle, directing passengers to a nearby corner — a virtual bus stop — for pickup and drop-off, allowing for efficient shared trips along a route created in real time without lengthy detours that take riders out of their way.

Since its launch in zones one and two earlier this year, ViaVan has provided more than three million rides, and more than 17,000 drivers have registered to drive for the platform, which the company estimates at roughly 20% to 30% of Uber’s London fleet based on numbers the company has made available.