On-demand shared transit provider Via announced the extension of its Washington, D.C., service to Arlington County, Va.

Via first launched in D.C. in August 2016 to support residents during SafeTrak repair work to the red line. The service has since grown to cover the entire District and has provided more than 1.5 million shared rides to date. The expansion into Arlington will extend Via’s affordable and convenient rides to this vibrant commercial, residential, and historical hub. Via plans to further extend operations to Reagan National Airport in the coming months.

Via's dynamic ride-pooling technology, developed initially for New York City, has powered more than 35 million shared rides globally throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Using the Via app, passengers select their pick up and drop off location and confirm their ride. Via’s algorithm enables multiple riders to seamlessly share a single vehicle. The technology directs passengers to a nearby corner — a virtual bus stop — for pick up and drop off, allowing for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours that take riders out of their way. This enables Via’s system to transport a high volume of passengers while using a fraction of the number of vehicles utilized by taxis or on-demand car services. By grouping multiple passengers into a single shared vehicle, Via reduces congestion and emissions, providing an inexpensive, eco-friendly, and convenient transportation alternative.