As part of our continued efforts to ensure security on our platform, RideShark has developed two-factor authentication protocols for all administrators. This feature can be enabled individually by each administrator or can be required for all administrators, including existing ones. Two-factor authentication will provide an extra layer of protection for all data and account management in the RideShark system.

In response to privacy and data priorities, RideShark has introduced a new special administration configuration feature to control and authorize Administrator access to personal data. Currently all site administrators have full access to all data in their system. The new configuration controls will permit Administrators to be specifically authorized for user data access. The new configuration settings include:

• Standard Functionality (full data access as currently exists)
• Disable User Information Access (no personal data revealed to the Administrator)
• Disable site configuration access (no ability to change or edit any site configuration elements)
• Disable All (Disable both user information access AND site configuration access. Content editing only allowed).

With remote work being increasingly common due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, RideShark is making it easier for individual users to log their ‘telework’ patterns. This is an important component of ensuring platform usage and continuity going forward. Teleworkers can use the LiveTrack feature to track their daily telework routine, or they can schedule tracking to ensure no days are missed.

January 19, 2021

January 21, 2021

As public transit agencies across the world face the challenges of reduced ridership from the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been significant efforts within the industry to improve service levels while saving costs. One of the key tools that is being considered by public agencies to achieve these lofty goals is on-demand transit solutions which use public transit vehicles (buses, shuttles, vans, etc.) more efficiently through the use of digital technology. So what is on-demand transit and how can public agencies benefit from these solutions in a commuter management platform?

In most communities across North America, public transit agencies use buses as a central component of sustainable transportation strategies.  Buses provide a flexible and low-cost form of shared mobility and these services typically operate on fixed routes with weekday rush hour peaks.  However, while buses are generally an efficient form of road transportation, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated some of the challenges public agencies face with servicing communities of different kinds.  Smaller, more rural and lower-density neighbourhoods in suburban areas are particularly difficult to service, since ridership can be quite variable.  Enter on-demand transit.

In 2020, the fastest growing trends in public transit have been contactless payment solutions and on-demand transit.  While the former is an obvious priority given COVID-19, the latter may be more transformative to overall public transportation.  On-demand transit takes buses off of fixed routes and allows them to operate dynamically in a pre-defined service area with individuals booking a ride through a digital app.   This is basically a bus operating as a ride-hailing solution with sophisticated AI performing real-time route optimization for all users including the driver who has a digital interface in the vehicle providing driving directions.  Buses are never empty and users get increased convenience.

As a leader in providing commute management tools for public and private sector, RideShark is excited to be working with Blaise AI on integrating their on-demand transit module into our platform.  Our vision is for a seamless solution for users of the RideShark platform to be able to find and book on-demand public transit, whether for the entire duration of their trip or to connect them into higher-order transit as part of truly multi-modal travel. 

We are a company that has always supported public transit as a sustainable shared mobility option.  Each community has its own unique transportation needs but we believe on-demand transit that leverages digital technology is the future of public transit because it provides convenience, improved safety and operational flexibility for public agencies.  It also provides a key source of data on actual travel demand patterns in the community that can be invaluable to public mobility policy and plans.

Once again, our team at RideShark is proud to be right on the cutting-edge of technology for safe and sustainable transportation.

RideShark Community Transportation

RideShark is developing new tools as we look to the future of sustainable public and community transportation. We continue to build out our integrated trip planning, booking, payment and tracking functionality and we expect to share some exciting news on this topic in the near future specifically on the needs of smaller and rural communities.