RideScout provides a free mobile app that aggregates real-time data on all available forms of ground transportation – public, private, and social – and gives users the ability to sort through their options by travel time or cost. Since launching in DC, the company has expanded its service to Austin, Boston, and San Francisco. According to cofounder and CEO Joseph Kopser, the expansion to Chicago follows the company’s strategy of finding cities that have seen a recent growth and acceptance of social transportation, such as ride- and bike-sharing programs. The city does, indeed, have the second largest public transportation system in the US with an average of 1.6 million using Chicago’s transit daily. Additionally, the city has expanded beyond its public transportation, bringing in social options like Divvy’s bikeshare program. Starting today, those in Chicago can download RideScout for Android or iOS and find local ground transportation options through Hailo, Zipcar, Divvy Bikes, CTA (bus and subway), Metra, and Amtrak, as well as compare such options to walking and driving. And, with the app’s integration with Parking Panda, users can also get a view of nearby parking options if/when they do decide to drive. In addition to the expansion, Gabe Klein has joined RideScout’s Board of Advisors. According Kopser, Klein’s experience in both the public and private transportation sectors is an invaluable asset to the company. Previously, Klein served as the Director of the District of Columbia Department Transporation (DDOT), followed by the same role as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation. In these previous roles, he’s become renowned as the man responsible for encouraging both cities to steer away from car transportation and toward social riding options. Prior to such public roles, Klein also served as the Vice President of Zipcar, overseeing the company’s operations in the DC region. RideScout has expanded rapidly in the past six months, and the company has no plans of stopping anytime soon. This summer, they plan to announce a slew of additional cities for which they will optimize their app. Kopser gave Tech Cocktail the exclusive and let us know that RideScout will be optimized in NYC come June – huge, considering that NYC is the largest city in the US. At the beginning of June, RideScout plans to announce some major news. Tomorrow, the company will hold a party to commemorate its Chicago launch. The party will be held at Rockit Bar in Near North Side and will begin at 6pm. It’s free to attend – RSVP here. You can download RideScout now on iOS or Android.
