Latest news with #Uber-like
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Seminole County leaders to choose Lynx replacement service Tuesday
Seminole County Commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday to designate a Miami-based company as its transit system of the future, and replace many of its Lynx bus lines with an Uber-like system. If approved, FreeBee, Inc. will launch a fleet of 35 to 55 vans that will be able to move people throughout the county at a low cost. FreeBee's plan is to divide the non-rural parts of the county into five distinct zones centered around its SunRail stations and a Lynx stop in Oviedo. Passengers will be able to request rides through an app and move around within those zones. If they want to go further, they'll be taken to the SunRail or Lynx station, where they'll be able to hop onto the bus or train to a different zone and hail another ride. The projected cost for this service will be $2 to $3 per trip, with discounts available to seniors, students and people with disabilities. Unlike Uber, which bills itself as a premium experience, FreeBee targets customers who need an inexpensive yet easy-to-use way to get around and does not do surge pricing. Commissioners will also weigh a different system that will allow people to get rides anywhere within the service area, but that would cost more. The money for the contract would come from the removal of most Lynx lines, months after commissioners criticized the service as being too Orange County-centric. Lynx's most used lines, as well as lines that connect Orange County to Seminole County or pass through a small portion of Seminole, would remain. Commissioners believe FreeBee and its competitors will be able to reach many parts of the sprawling county Lynx doesn't currently serve, boosting transit use throughout the county. FreeBee is used throughout the Miami area as well as other parts of Florida, including downtown Kissimmee. City leaders there recently expanded the service after data showed an uptick in ridership last year. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
My biggest problems as a high school teacher ― none were the school's fault
Here we go! It's the obligatory but all-important EDUCATION column. But let's skip the ivory tower talk. I'm writing as a foot soldier ― a teacher who's been in the trenches. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, women now make up roughly 60% of the college population. It's one of several reminders that young men are falling behind. But this column isn't just about boys. It's about raising the tide for all boats. Here were the four biggest problems I faced as a high school teacher: 1. Smartphones 2. Absenteeism 3. Sleep deprivation 4. Incomplete homework Let's pause to acknowledge something: Policing these issues isn't the school's job ― it's the parents'. Warning — Put on your bib. On the menu is humble pie. Please, please, please read on. According to Statista, 95% of teenagers now own a smartphone. (Oddly, only 90% of adults do.) These weapons of mass distraction should be regulated with the same urgency we apply to gun safety. While Oklahoma's new Bell-to-Bell-No-Cell law may reduce screen time during school hours, the rest is on parents. Next up: Attendance. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, 1 in 5 students is chronically absent, meaning they miss at least 10% of the school year. Parents, it's your job to get your kids to the school's front doors every morning. And guess what? There's a free Uber-like service already in place. It's called the school bus. More: Worried about porn in libraries? Do you know what your child is looking at on their phone? If your child is sleeping through class, they're effectively absent. Kids are young mammals. And all young mammals need sleep. What's your household policy? A.) Lights out and phones off, or B.) Midnight scroll-a-thons and TikTok marathons? As for homework, there's a direct correlation between doing it and succeeding in the classroom. Do parents need to be tutors? Absolutely not. There are hundreds of excellent YouTube videos on every subject. But someone still needs to proctor the homework habit. While I have your attention, the icing on the cake would be weed-free, polite kids who come to school with an attitude to learn. These are your family's representatives ― not the school's. Now, schools ― it's your turn. You've been entrusted with educating the next generation of CEOs, community leaders and public servants. Even the future president of the United States is a student somewhere. The stakes couldn't be higher. Every other year, the NAEP issues the 'Nation's Report Card,' testing fourth- and eighth-graders nationwide in reading and math. Contrary to popular belief, it does not rank states 1–50. But here's how Oklahoma performed: Reading proficiency ― fourth grade: 23% (national average: 30%); eighth grade: 20% (national average: 29%) Math proficiency ― fourth grade: 31% (national average: 39%); eighth grade: 17% (national average: 27%) If you must know how Oklahoma ranks nationally, try 43rd, 48th and 49th ― per U.S. News & World Report, EdWeek and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, respectively. Rather than focus on the fundamentals of reading and math, too many decision-makers seem more interested in sparking culture wars with trigger words like "woke agenda," "Bibles" and "terrorists." It's like jangling keys to distract from what really matters. God forbid educators hold themselves accountable. More: I'm a former high school teacher. We need DEI, but discourse must center on civility | Opinion And here's a stat you don't hear much about: According to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, per-student spending has risen from $9,067 in 2017 to $13,736 in 2024. That's a 51% increase! Even accounting for temporary federal COVID relief (which ended last September), that's significant. All the money went to teacher pay and smaller classrooms. I'm JOKING! State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and school districts, when ― if ever –― does the buck stop with you? After 38 years in Los Angeles, K. John Lee recently boomeranged back to his Oklahoma roots. He is a financier, real estate investor, former high school teacher and a father of two young men. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Schools can't fix all the problems with education | Opinion
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Uber-like lawn care platform launches in Austin. What to know about GreenPal.
Growing up, Gene Caballero would go door-to-door offering to mow lawns for his neighbors, hoping to make enough money to buy video games. He continued working in the landscaping industry from middle school through college. His first job post-grad was in sales for Dell Technologies, covering the West Coast. He was there when Uber, Lyft, Airbnb and Vrbo began to take off. "I just kind of had this inkling that, if somebody was going to allow a stranger to pick them up and take them somewhere, or allow a stranger to live in their extra bedroom for a weekend for money, then at some point I would hope that they would do the same with home services," Caballero told the American-Statesman. Caballero and his friends — one of whom is Bryan Clayton, who previously founded landscape company Peach Tree Inc. — wanted to do just that: create an "Uber-like" way to connect consumers with landscapers and lawn care professionals. In 2012, they founded Nashville-based GreenPal, and the online freelancing platform is now launching in Austin. Users on the platform, which is free to join for both customers and landscapers, can order "contactless" lawn care by posting what service they need done and the preferred day for service. From there, nearby lawn care professionals freelancing on the app can "bid" on the lawn, and users choose the best option for them. The vendors take a time-stamped photo at the end of the service to show the completed work, and users use the platform to pay and set up additional appointments. The prices are set by the lawn care professionals, not with fixed pricing like Uber, and GreenPal takes a 5% cut. "There's no convenience fees or any charges or anything like that," Caballero said. "If the homeowner is quoted $35, that's what they pay." The app is operating in 48 states and in 250 major markets, with more than 60,000 contractors on the platform. According to Caballero, more than 30% of the app's customers are over the age of 60, a "demographic that is particularly vulnerable to health risks and greatly benefits from the added safety and convenience provided by our platform." GreenPal prescreens all the vendors, which must be 18 years old with a valid driver's license and Social Security number to offer services on the app. Caballero said the most significant benefit of the platform is that it allows vendors to promote their businesses without spending extra time or money on marketing. "If I could go talk to my 20-year-old self and say, 'Hey, what landscaping tool box would you want at your fingertips? And that's how we designed it," Caballero said. "They don't want to go knock on doors. A lot of them aren't aware of how to promote a business or anything like that, and so GreenPal kind of takes care of that. And there are scheduling softwares that they can pay for, there's route optimization software that they can pay for and there's also payment processing that they can pay for, but we do all that for them in house." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What to know about GreenPal, the Uber-like lawn care platform launching in Austin
Time Business News
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
The Best Uber-Like Platforms for Your Custom Taxi App
Ride-hailing has gone from a nice-to-have convenience to an everyday necessity for millions worldwide. Whether it's a daily commute, late-night airport run, or corporate shuttle, passengers expect seamless booking, transparent pricing, and reliable tracking—all wrapped in a branded experience. For taxi operators, logistics firms, or startups eager to break into this booming market, building your own Uber-like platform is the fastest way to capture demand and control every facet of your service. But not all white-label solutions offer the rich feature set, scalability, and customization flexibility you need. In this article, we'll break down the critical building blocks of an scUber-style platform—covering passenger and driver apps, intelligent dispatch, real-time tracking, payments, and administration—and show why Appscrip's Taxi Booking Solution emerges as the clear choice to power your custom taxi app. What Makes an Uber-Like Platform Essential? Traditional dispatch systems and generic ride-booking plugins fall short when it comes to branding, operational control, and passenger expectations. An Uber-like platform delivers: Full Brand Ownership Your logo, colors, fonts, and app icons reinforce your identity at every touchpoint—no third-party branding or generic UI elements. Operational Independence You set fares, commission structures, and service zones without expensive marketplace fees or imposed price floors. Feature Completeness From AI-driven surge pricing and automated driver onboarding to live GPS tracking and in-app chat, today's passengers expect a polished, end-to-end experience. Rapid Time to Market Pre-built modules and configurable settings let you launch in weeks, not months—crucial in a market where speed wins. Core Components of a Best-In-Class Platform 1. Passenger App Intuitive Ride Booking A streamlined UI lets users request a ride in two taps, choose vehicle types (standard, executive, shared), and schedule in advance. A streamlined UI lets users request a ride in two taps, choose vehicle types (standard, executive, shared), and schedule in advance. Real-Time GPS Tracking Live driver location and precise ETA updates eliminate uncertainty and boost satisfaction. Live driver location and precise ETA updates eliminate uncertainty and boost satisfaction. Transparent Fares Upfront pricing displays all charges—distance, time, surge—so there are no billing surprises. Upfront pricing displays all charges—distance, time, surge—so there are no billing surprises. Multiple Payment Methods Support for credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and cash ensures convenience for every rider. Support for credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and cash ensures convenience for every rider. Ratings & Feedback Post-ride reviews help maintain high service quality and reward top-performing drivers. 2. Driver App Smart Dispatch AI-powered algorithms assign trips based on proximity, driver ratings, and vehicle capacity, minimizing idle time. AI-powered algorithms assign trips based on proximity, driver ratings, and vehicle capacity, minimizing idle time. Earnings Dashboard Drivers can view daily and weekly earnings, bonuses, and deductions—all in one place. Drivers can view daily and weekly earnings, bonuses, and deductions—all in one place. SOS & Safety Tools An integrated emergency button and live-map sharing keep both drivers and passengers safer. An integrated emergency button and live-map sharing keep both drivers and passengers safer. Route Optimization Built-in navigation with live traffic updates reduces fuel costs and delivery delays. Built-in navigation with live traffic updates reduces fuel costs and delivery delays. Availability Control Drivers toggle online/offline status at will, giving them the flexibility they need. 3. Admin Panel Centralized Control Monitor fleets, drivers, and rides in real time through a single dashboard. Monitor fleets, drivers, and rides in real time through a single dashboard. Configurable Rules Define surge zones, peak-hour multipliers, minimum trip distances, and cancellation fees. Define surge zones, peak-hour multipliers, minimum trip distances, and cancellation fees. Promotions & Loyalty Create referral campaigns, discount codes, and rider loyalty tiers to accelerate growth. Create referral campaigns, discount codes, and rider loyalty tiers to accelerate growth. Reporting & Analytics Export customizable reports on trip volumes, revenue trends, driver performance, and customer behavior. Export customizable reports on trip volumes, revenue trends, driver performance, and customer behavior. User Management Approve new drivers with built-in KYC checks, manage customer accounts, and handle disputes seamlessly. Advanced Features That Give You an Edge AI-Powered Dispatch & Pricing Machine-learning models analyze historic demand patterns, weather data, and local events to forecast rider hotspots and adjust fares dynamically. You'll reduce wait times, maximize revenue during peak hours, and maintain consistent service levels. Real-Time Fleet Intelligence Embedded IoT sensors and telematics capture fuel usage, vehicle health, and driver behavior. Proactive maintenance alerts and performance insights help you cut downtime and optimize ROI. Multi-Service & Multi-Fleet Support Whether you're running a single fleet or aggregating partner operators, your platform scales effortlessly. Offer last-mile delivery, corporate shuttles, or special-needs transport under one unified app. White-Label Flexibility Beyond basic theming, you need an architecture that lets you swap modules—payment gateways, map providers, notification services—without rewriting core code. Future-proof your investment and adapt quickly as your business grows. Benefits of a Custom Taxi App Increased Profit Margins Eliminate hefty marketplace commissions and retain full fare revenue. Brand Loyalty A consistent, branded experience fosters trust and repeat business. Operational Efficiency Automation reduces manual dispatch errors and administrative overhead by up to 30%. Data-Driven Decisions In-depth analytics empower you to fine-tune pricing, promotions, and resource allocation. Rapid Market Expansion Launch in new cities or regions in days with cloud-based deployment and zero-downtime migration. What to Look for When Choosing Your Platform Scalability Can the system handle growth from 50 to 5,000 vehicles without performance degradation? Can the system handle growth from 50 to 5,000 vehicles without performance degradation? Compliance & Security Out-of-the-box GDPR and PCI DSS compliance, role-based permissions, and end-to-end encryption are non-negotiable. Out-of-the-box GDPR and PCI DSS compliance, role-based permissions, and end-to-end encryption are non-negotiable. Customization Depth Look for open APIs and modular microservices—avoid monolithic codebases that trap you in a one-size-fits-all solution. Look for open APIs and modular microservices—avoid monolithic codebases that trap you in a one-size-fits-all solution. Support & Updates 24/7 technical assistance, regular feature releases, and security patches keep your platform competitive and secure. 24/7 technical assistance, regular feature releases, and security patches keep your platform competitive and secure. Total Cost of Ownership Factor in licensing, hosting, customization, and maintenance—opt for transparent pricing models (one-time, subscription, or commission-based) that align with your business strategy. Why Appscrip's Taxi Booking Solution Stands Out With over 50 successful taxi-app launches worldwide, Appscrip combines deep industry expertise with a rock-solid platform that ticks every box: End-to-End White-Label : iOS, Android, and Web apps fully skinnable to your brand. : iOS, Android, and Web apps fully skinnable to your brand. AI & Analytics Built In : From predictive dispatch to dynamic pricing and executive dashboards. : From predictive dispatch to dynamic pricing and executive dashboards. Modular Microservices : Swap, upgrade, or extend features without downtime or code rewrites. : Swap, upgrade, or extend features without downtime or code rewrites. Enterprise-Grade Security : GDPR, PCI DSS, and role-based access controls ensure full compliance. : GDPR, PCI DSS, and role-based access controls ensure full compliance. Rapid Deployment : Go live in as little as six weeks—complete with pilot testing and training. : Go live in as little as six weeks—complete with pilot testing and training. Ongoing Innovation: Continuous updates, new modules, and 24/7 support keep you ahead of market shifts. Conclusion Creating a custom taxi app that rivals Uber doesn't mean starting from scratch. By choosing the right white-label platform—one that offers full brand control, AI-driven features, real-time intelligence, and robust admin tools—you position your business for sustainable growth and market leadership. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Bays Mountain Park receives $150k for Hurricane Helene recovery
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Bays Mountain Park announced Friday it received a $150,000 grant to help recover from Hurricane Helene damage. The grant comes from the Tennessee State Museum and will be used to help restore to Nature Center at the park. 'This funding is a major step in restoring the Nature Center and ensuring it continues to serve visitors for years to come,' Park Manager Megan Krager said in a news release. 'We're thrilled to have been awarded these funds, and we would like to thank the Tennessee State Museum for its consideration.' Kingsport Area Transit unveils new 'Uber-like' service Bays Mountain Park closed for more than a week after being damaged by Hurricane Helene. Krager said the grant will be used to reimburse several expenses, such as for tree removal ($8,250), roof patch ($5,455) and balcony repair ($12,560). The remaining funds will go towards a full roof replacement of the Nature Center (estimated total cost of $263,440). Kingsport has until July 1, 2026, to complete the project, according to the release. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
