Real-time Ridesharing recognized by US Congress

A historic breakthrough was made for the Real-Time Ridesharing community in late June when the U.S. Congress expanded the definition of “carpool projects” in federal law to include “Real-Time Ridesharing”.  This is the first time that the definition of carpooling has been updated in over 30 years.

The transportation bill, known as MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century), authorizes policy and funding levels for U.S. highway, transit and safety programs. The updated definition in Section 1501 of the bill explicitly refers to Real-Time Ridesharing projects, making them eligible for all federal funding that was previously only available to carpooling projects.

According to Jason Conley, Avego’s Director of Government Relations, “Avego has created something that is so disruptive, with such potential to revolutionize the transportation network, that the U.S. Congress has taken notice.”

What will this mean for Avego? The possibilities this revised definition creates for Avego Real-Time Ridesharing (RTR) are strong. Already working on five pilot projects in the United States, the door has now been opened for many more. In new cutting edge areas, question marks commonly lurk over the unknown and unregulated. This is one important stepping stone towards Real-time Ridesharing, like carpooling, becoming an established form of transport for the everyday commuter.

“We applaud the transportation leadership in Congress, said Sean O’Sullivan, Avego’s Managing Director, “for recognizing the importance of RTR as a vital tool in enhancing mobility.  It is an important step for America.”