Mobility & Transportation - Issue #64

Last week, we reported that the province of Ontario is removing license plate renewal fees. Well, we’re glad to share that the government is also working to make transportation cheaper for those taking transit - and also helping to encourage more sustainable travel to GO (regional rail) stations. Using the PRESTO fare card system, a rider who takes local transit to get to a GO rail station will not have to pay a local fare (GO fare will still apply). Prior to COVID, about 60% of riders drove themselves and parked at the GO, this will help encourage riders to take local transit to get there.

Transit app will now show you show you upcoming schedule changes, like:

And a few other changes, like a transit line running extra trips to a sports game, or a bus with fewer trips when school goes on summer vacation.

Revel, the Brooklyn-based startup that first made a name for itself with its iconic shared blue electric mopeds in New York City, has raised a $126 million Series B in a funding round led by BlackRock Renewable Power.

Spin, the micromobility unit of Ford Motor Company will deploy 50 electric bicycles on the UCBO campus in Kelowna marking Spin’s first international campus partnership focused on shared e-bikes.

Sustainable Transportation in the Golden State

TechTO is a Toronto-based tech startup community. In this podcast they cover the growth of a number of tech firms, including RideCo’s recent funding raise.

Terry White, General Manager of King County Metro, is a life-long public transit rider in his hometown of Seattle, Washington.

Terry and Paul talk about his career journey and his vision for equitable transit that lifts up entire communities. He believes when you lift up and support those who rely on transit the most, everyone benefits.

Yonah Freemark, a senior research associate at the Urban Institute, chats about the effects of the pandemic on office work and makes predictions about next year’s transportation policies and projects.