In this episode, Hansu Kim, CEO of Flywheel Technologies, shares insights on the evolving taxi industry, Flywheel's innovative partnerships, and the impact of autonomous vehicles (AVs). With over 20 years of experience in transportation policy, Kim discusses Flywheel's rebranding, its strategic Uber partnership to integrate taxi services, and the regulatory changes required. He highlights the mutual benefits of the Uber-taxi collaboration, including increased ride efficiency and higher driver incomes. Kim also explores the future interplay between traditional taxis, AVs, and the rideshare industry's continuous transformation.

• 0:00 Intro to RSG268 with Hansu Kim, CEO of Flywheel Technologies
• 0:32 Who Is Hansu Kim and What Is Flywheel Taxi?
• 1:08 How Are Flywheel and Uber Partnering?
• 2:03 How Does This Partnership Affect the Taxi Industry?
• 2:42 What Regulatory Changes Shape the Consumer Experience?
• 4:00 What Are the Economic Benefits for Drivers and Companies?
• 5:31 How Is Technology Being Adopted in the Taxi Industry?
• 6:32 What Is the Future of Taxi and Rideshare Collaboration?
• 8:32 How Does Flywheel's Business Model Work?
• 11:30 What Are the Challenges and Benefits of the Partnership?
• 19:57 How Do Consumers Choose and What Influences Safety Perception?
• 24:12 What Is Uber's Strategy for Autonomous Vehicles?
• 24:51 How Is Waymo Partnering with Ride-Sharing Services?
• 26:14 What Are the Main Criticisms of Autonomous Vehicles?
• 26:58 How Are Partnerships Supporting Riders With Disabilities?
• 28:16 What Does the Future of the Taxi Industry Look Like?
• 29:38 How Will Autonomous Vehicles Impact Taxi Services?
• 36:08 How Can the Industry Prepare for an Autonomous Future?
• 40:11 What Innovations Are Shaping Taxi Technology?
• 42:45 What Are the Final Thoughts on Waymo and Autonomous Vehicles?

• Flywheel: https://www.flywheel.com/
• Flywheel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flywheeltech/
• Hansu Kim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansu-kim-b6b30b2/

In this episode, Dawood Milan, founder of Auto Marketplace, discusses the intricacies and the significance of New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) market. He provides insights into his career transition from finance to managing a successful Uber Black fleet and eventually founding Auto Marketplace. Dawood explains the unique regulations and economic value of the NYC TLC market, the challenges and opportunities it presents, particularly with regard to vehicle caps, insurance, and driver pay. He explores the future of autonomous vehicles (AV) in this competitive and complex market, touching on regulatory hurdles, potential business models, and the challenges posed by New York's unique urban environment. Dawood emphasizes the importance of regulatory acumen and market adaptability for new entrants like Waymo.

• 0:00 Intro
• 00:32 Who is Dawood and what is Auto Marketplace?
• 01:23 What makes the NYC TLC market unique?
• 04:50 How did Uber and Lyft impact NYC taxis?
• 07:21 What's the current state of NYC rideshare and taxis?
• 13:22 How do business models work in NYC rideshare?
• 16:30 What is Dawood's fleet and strategy?
• 18:40 What challenges and opportunities exist in the TLC market?
• 23:02 Why are TLC plates valuable and transferable?
• 24:29 How does TLC plate value change over time?
• 24:43 Is Waymo entering the NYC market?
• 25:25 What are the regulatory and business model hurdles?
• 26:49 How are drivers and medallion owners affected?
• 30:23 How do fleet management and real estate intersect?
• 37:08 What are the key tech and environmental challenges?
• 39:54 What's the future of autonomous vehicles in NYC?
• 43:14 What are the final thoughts?

• Dawood's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawoodmian/
• Automarketplace: https://automarketplace.substack.com/
• X: https://x.com/automarketplc

In this episode, Harry interviews Daniel and Andres Munoz, co-founders of Tower Mobility. They discuss their extensive backgrounds in global strategy, operations, and last-mile logistics, as well as how they launched Tower Mobility during the pandemic with a focus on wheelchair accessible vehicles. The conversation delves into Tower Mobility's operational model, including its fleet of over 600 vehicles, primarily electric, and workforce of 2,000 W2 employees. Key topics include their partnerships with Uber and Waymo, the advantages and challenges of managing a large EV fleet, and how they are preparing for an autonomous vehicle future. The episode wraps up with insights on safety training, driver coaching, and the potential for human-powered services in the evolving mobility market.

• Check out Terawatt here for more information: https://www.terawattinfrastructure.com/

• 0:00 Who are the founders of Tower Mobility and how did the company begin?
• 02:59 How did Tower Mobility get started during the pandemic?
• 04:13 What is the W2 driver model and how does it work?
• 06:43 What types of drivers does Tower Mobility recruit and how do they find them?
• 13:27 How does Tower Mobility partner with Uber?
• 20:00 What safety and insurance measures are in place?
• 21:38 Why is adhering to speed limits so important?
• 22:16 How does the hourly pay model compare to being an independent contractor?
• 23:16 What are the main challenges of managing a fleet?
• 26:28 How are electric vehicles being used in fleet operations?
• 28:41 What cost benefits come with electric vehicles?
• 32:18 What does the charging infrastructure for EV fleets look like?
• 34:07 How might autonomous vehicles shape the future of fleet management?
• 39:20 What are the final thoughts and takeaways from the discussion?

• Daniel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-munoz-gmvp/
• Andres' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andres-munoz-0278926/

In this episode, Harry interviews Jeremy Bird, Executive Vice President of Driver Experience at Lyft, about Lyft's recent global expansion and the strategic acquisition of Free Now. Bird discusses Lyft's growth into international markets, beginning with Canada and Puerto Rico, and highlights the benefits of partnering with Free Now, a prominent taxi app operating in nine European countries. They delve into the regulatory differences between the US and European markets, the similarities in driver ethos between Lyft and Free Now, and the potential synergies from combining their technologies and experiences. The conversation also covers the significance of Lyft's operations in Canada and its micro-mobility solutions, such as bike and scooter sharing, and how these ventures align with Lyft's overall strategy, including the future integration of autonomous vehicles.

• 00:00 Introduction to Jeremy Bird and Lyft's expansion
• 01:05 How has Lyft's expansion into Canada and Puerto Rico been?
• 02:33 What is Lyft's strategic shift to global markets?
• 05:19 What is Free Now and what are its operations?
• 07:34 How do Europe and US taxi industries compare?
• 10:34 What are the synergies and future plans for Lyft and Free Now?
• 14:33 What is Lyft's global expansion strategy?
• 15:38 How is Lyft's market penetration in Europe?
• 15:52 What are the regulatory challenges and labor relations?
• 17:17 What are the opportunities in the European market?
• 21:15 How is Lyft's growth in Canada?
• 23:50 How has Lyft been integrating micro-mobility solutions?
• 27:32 What are Lyft's plans for autonomous vehicles?
• 29:20 Conclusion and Future Prospects

Jeremy's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-bird-6a03aa11

In this episode, Harry speaks with Will Coleman, CEO and Co-Founder of Alto, an innovative rideshare and delivery service emphasizing safety, hospitality, and consistency. Will discusses Alto's operations in multiple U.S. cities, their unique business model involving employed drivers and owned vehicles, and their strategic focus on fleet management as a foundation for electric and autonomous mobility.

Most importantly, the conversation delves into Alto's newest partnership with Uber, the complexities of fleet management, and the differentiation factors contributing to their success, such as lower insurance costs and high service quality. Will also touches on the benefits and challenges of scaling, and shares insights on the future of autonomous vehicles in the rideshare industry.

• 00:00 - Introduction to Will Coleman and Alto
• 01:09 - Will's alternate bio and podcast introduction
• 02:57 - Alto's unique business model
• 04:06 - Challenges of fleet management
• 08:54 - Partnership with Uber
• 16:18 - Benefits of Alto's model for Uber
• 21:56 - Unique experience in the rideshare industry
• 23:30 - Challenges and solutions in fleet management
• 27:14 - The Alto Fleet and electrification
• 29:25 - Potential Downsides of the Partnership
• 34:00 - Alto's Place in the Autonomous Vehicle Market
• 38:25 - Alto's reaction to the Waymo Business
• 40:46 - Future Plans and Closing Remarks

Alto: https://ridealto.com Will Coleman's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-coleman RSG179: Redefining Rideshare with Alto RSG203: An Update on Alto Harry's Newsletter: The Driverless Digest

In this episode, Harry speaks with Jeremy Bird, the Executive Vice President of Driver Experience at Lyft. They discuss Jeremy's role and responsibilities, including his focus on autonomous vehicles (AV) and their integration into Lyft's services. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of having an open and honest conversation about the impact of AVs on human drivers, highlighting the potential for a hybrid future where both AVs and human-driven cars coexist. He mentions Lyft's upcoming partnership with May Mobility to introduce AVs on the platform and stresses the need for economic mobility and support for drivers. The conversation also covers Lyft's commitment to driver earnings, transparency, and new initiatives like an enhanced rewards program and opportunities for drivers to advance or transition in their careers. Jeremy asserts that while AVs may bring changes, the goal is to grow the overall market and improve the driver and rider experience.

• 00:30 Intros
• 2:13 What is Lyft's main focus right now?
• 5:00 Should drivers be worried about AVs?
• 7:07 What has Waymo's growth been like?
• 10:04 How will Lyft assist drivers with the rise of AVs?
• 13:15 Will humans be an option in the future?
• 17:40 Are humans in competition with AVs?
• 25:06 Will drivers earn less money because of AVs?
• 29:29 Will driving for Lyft get better or worse in the future?
• 31:20 What is causing Lyft's success?
• 34:53 How does Lyft compare with Uber?
• 38:48 Where to find Jeremy

https://www.lyft.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-bird-6a03aa11/

https://x.com/jeremybird

In this episode, Harry speaks with Justin Pappan, founder of EV Access, who discusses the inception and growth of his electric vehicle rental service based in Phoenix, Arizona. Three years since its founding, EV Access caters to both visitors and Uber drivers, offering flexible rental options and a focus on customer service. The conversation covers Justin's experiences as a Tesla owner, the operational challenges and strategies of managing an EV fleet, and the company's future plans, including preparation for autonomous vehicle integration. Justin also delves into the insurance and financial aspects of fleet management, the advantages of Tesla's technology in tracking and maintenance, and innovative marketing tactics. Lastly, he touches on the potential for partnerships and the importance of being prepared for the shift to driverless vehicles.

• EV Access: https://evaccess.io/
• Justin Pappan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-pappan/

• 00:30 Introduction to Justin Pappan and EV Access
• 00:51 Personal Connection and Tesla Experience
• 01:40 Challenges and Solutions in EV Rentals
• 02:34 Business Model and Future Plans
• 03:42 Fleet Details and Market Strategies
• 06:27 Operational Insights and Customer Education
• 17:25 Financial Strategies and Vehicle Partnerships
• 24:47 Advice and Industry Insights
• 26:18 The Challenges of Creating Authentic Content
• 26:45 The Value of Real-World Experience in Online Courses
• 29:06 Navigating the Car Rental Market
• 30:45 Effective Marketing Tactics for Fleet Owners
• 33:51 The Importance of Diversifying Platforms
• 41:17 Tools and Strategies for Fleet Management
• 42:21 Insurance Challenges in the Ride-Share Industry
• 45:57 Preparing for an Autonomous Vehicle Future
• 50:06 Conclusion and Contact Information

• Listen to these podcasts mentioned in the show:
• RSG261: EV Fleet Charging With Bluedot - Martin Hamedani: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/therideshareguy/id/32888257
• RSG139: Ed Walker on Managing Insurance for Shared Mobility Operators: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/therideshareguy/id/15512057

In this episode, Harry interviews Garrett Wood, the founder and CEO of GetScale. Garrett discusses how GetScale uses one-on-one conversations combined with proprietary data and technology to recruit and motivate individuals for gig economy roles. He shares his extensive experience from his time at Uber, where he helped build and scale the first driver recruiting team. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of driver acquisition, onboarding, and conversion, including the importance of motivation and real conversations. Garrett also covers the operational details of GetScale's services and how they enhance recruitment processes for large gig economy businesses.

• Garrett's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettscottwood/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/get-scale/
• https://www.getscale.com/
• 00:32 Introduction to Garrett Wood and GetScale
• 02:51 Garrett's Journey at Uber
• 05:06 Challenges and Strategies in Driver Recruitment
• 07:43 The Role of Motivation in Driver Conversion
• 12:50 GetScale's Approach to Recruitment
• 19:42 Tactical Insights for Gig Economy Companies
• 34:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Harry interviews Martin Hamadani, Vice President of Partnerships at Blue Dot. Martin discusses his role in leading the commercial and growth efforts for Blue Dot's B2B fleet business, highlighting his extensive experience in scaling startups and business development. They delve into Blue Dot's solutions for public and home charging for EV fleets, focusing on the integration of various public chargers into a single platform for ease of use. Martin also explains Blue Dot's value propositions for corporate fleets, gig drivers, and rental companies, emphasizing the importance of a unified EV charging experience. Topics include the benefits and challenges of EV adoption, the impact of Tesla's supercharging network, and strategies for fleet management. Martin concludes by sharing insights on the company's engagement at trade shows and future plans.

• 00:32 Introduction to Martin Hamadani and Blue Dot
• 01:14 The Evolution of Blue Dot's EV Solutions
• 03:53 Addressing Public Charging Challenges
• 06:34 Home Charging Solutions for Fleets
• 9:22 EV Charging for Rideshare Drivers
• 17:06 Tesla vs. Non-Tesla EVs in Fleets
• 22:33 Charging Flexibility and Costs
• 24:21 Fleet Owners and Corporate Partnerships
• 26:47 Exploring Car Sharing and Rentals
• 36:18 Challenges and Best Practices for Fleet EV Adoption
• 40:50 Conclusion and Contact Information

Martin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinhamedani/

In this episode Harry speaks with Kathryn Webster. Kathryn is an associate at KKR, a global investment firm investing across private markets in every asset class all over the world. She is also the founder of Together Achieving Dreams Foundation, bridging the gap between potential and possibility for the blind and low vision.

• 0:00 Intros
• 3:48 How should riders refer to blind passengers?
• 5:33 What is it like calling a ride as a blind person?
• 12:09 How should service animals be referred to?
• 16:58 What questions can you ask regarding service dogs?
• 22:37 What should a driver do if they are scared of dogs?
• 28:11 What does Kathryn think of fake service dogs?

Links/references from the show:

• Kathryn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryncornellwebster/
• Lyft's Anti-Discrimination Policies: https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/all/articles/115012923767-Anti-Discrimination-Policies
• Lyft's Service Animal Policy: https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/all/articles/115013080048-Service-animal-policy
• Downloadable Policy Copy Service Animal FAQ and Policy: https://assets.ctfassets.net/ecaxsf5u3xse/37rxua7DcxdyiAPFyVNN2s/3acbe37181e66fe3744f98ef1d3853c2/Service_Animal_Policy.pdf
• 3-Minute How-To Service Animals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SppA9cmanfY
• Service Animal Hotline: 1-844-554-1297 for direct phone support