New egift cards have been added and are now available to those using the integrated funded account e-gift card rewards . Sample exciting new options for users include:

Send us an email to Support@RideShark.com to schedule a time to learn more about our egift card reward options.  Note that some egift cards may only be offered in the USA.

Note: Some egift cards may only be offered in the USA.

As part of our continued efforts to ensure security on our platform, RideShark has developed two-factor authentication protocols for all administrators.  Two-factor authentication means that an Administrator will need to receive an authorization code by email or by SMS text upon first login.  If the IP address is not recognized for subsequent logins, the process will be repeated.  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. 

Contact us at Support@RideShark.com to enable Two-Factor Authentication for Administrators.

As part of our continued efforts to ensure security on our platform, RideShark has developed two-factor authentication protocols for users.  Two-factor authentication means that a User will need to receive an authorization code by email or by SMS text upon first login.  If the IP address is not recognized for subsequent logins, the process will be repeated.  As you are aware, users are now acutely aware of the importance of data protection.  As such users now have the option to activate two-factor authentication on their profile.  This helps users understand the platform is secure, and most importantly that you, as the owner of the platform, recognize data security as a priority  It is currently an optional feature that users can activate if they choose.

If you want to ‘force’ all users to use two-factor authentication site wide, please contact us at Support@RideShark.com to discuss and activate.

Note:  If you have a college or university using Single Sign On (SSO), that subsite will continue to use SSO protocols rather than two-factor authentication for users

In response to privacy and data access requests from our customers, 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).

Please contact us at Support@RideShark.com to discuss and review the new Admin data access settings.

April 14, 2021

In Ontario, Canada – the largest province by population in the country – the government has awarded RideShark funding support as part of its Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) program for the development of an on-demand community transportation solution. As communities of all sizes across the world look to provide more flexible and cost-effective transportation solutions, on-demand technologies are increasingly being deployed with large buses, shuttles, vanpools and passenger vehicles. The RideShark Unified Mobility platform already supports a number of carpooling and on-demand options, but this project will enable a new winter-specific solution in collaboration with the County of Renfrew.

Many on-demand solutions exist on the market to enable public transit agencies to deploy different types of vehicles to deliver transportation dynamically and in real-time through a digital app.  There are a number of gaps in the existing marketplace for these solutions that RideShark intends to fill, especially for smaller and rural communities in North America:

1. Approximately 75 million people in North America live through snowy-winter conditions and in smaller communities especially, there may not be physical and digital infrastructure to easily support on-demand transportation solutions. One of the key objectives of this project is to develop, test and validate how on-demand technology can be created to ensure safe, seamless and comfortable travel for community-members throughout the winter months.
2. Large cities that have established public transit systems typically have existing fleets of surface-transit vehicles, usually full-length buses, that can be redeployed using on-demand transit solutions. However, smaller and rural communities often do not have vehicle fleets or the density to merit fixed-route transit so they need solutions customized to their community needs. Providing flexible solutions types will be achieved through collaboration and consultations with community leaders in Country of Renfrew.
3. Current on-demand transit solutions often target individual users with high proficiency in digital technology usage. However, the most pressing transportation need in many communities is to service particular demographic segments including seniors, school-age students and those with disabilities. Providing on-demand solutions for these groups requires working with public and private organizations – schools, hospitals, care homes, etc. – which is an area where RideShark has considerable experience and expertise.

We are very thankful to the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN) – WinterTech Development Fund administered by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) on behalf of the Government of Ontario.

If your community has an interest in learning more about our project or contributing to our consultation process, please contact Sharon@RideShark.com.

Local Business Rewards

You asked.  We delivered.  Engaging local businesses has been a key priority for many of our customers.  While the RideShark platform has always allowed for the creation of custom rewards from local businesses, the reward distribution mechanism generally occurred outside of the platform due to business point of sale systems.  RideShark has developed the functionality to deliver local business rewards by e-reward redemption – customized for each business.  It brings customers to the local business and increases exposure for your commuter platform.  It is a harmonized loyalty program for local businesses and your commuter platform.  And it’s ground-breaking .  Here’s how it works:

• Local business signs up with your platform (reward donated or purchased, as per your program)
• Local business reward image provided
• Admin sets up the reward as a contest, purchase or milestone incentive
• An automatic QR code is generated for e-reward redemption – no more mailing!
• Local businesses benefit through new customers and improved customer loyalty
• Commute program supports local businesses – a Win-Win for all!

Local business reward functionality to be available June 1.