Via has expanded its Chicago-area service, and is now available in Evanston, as well as Hermosa, Humboldt Park, and Mayfair. The expansion will see the Chicago-area service zone increase by more than 20%.

All shared rides within Evanston will be a low $3 flat fare. Via aims to be a key first-and-last mile solution for the commuter-heavy suburb, connecting residents and commuters to rail stations without the need for a personal vehicle.

Using the Via app, passengers select their pick up and drop off location and confirm their ride. Via’s smart algorithm enables multiple riders to share a single vehicle. The technology directs passengers to a nearby corner 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. 

In the United States, Via operates services in New York, Chicago, and Washington DC. Via has also been tapped by cities and transit authorities in the United States and around the world to help re-engineer public transit from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network, including partnerships in Arlington, Texas, West Sacramento, California, Los Angeles, and Seattle.