Via Establishes National Mayors Council to Accelerate Modern Mobility Innovation
Via, a global leader in technology solutions for government-operated transit systems, has announced the creation of a new Mayors Council designed to bring together innovative city leaders committed to transforming public transportation. The formation of this Council represents a strategic effort to align municipal leadership with cutting-edge mobility technology in order to strengthen urban transportation networks across the United States. By convening experienced mayors who have demonstrated a commitment to modernization and community-centered transit policy, Via aims to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and practical implementation strategies that can help cities respond to evolving mobility demands. The Council’s primary mission is to advance best practices in modern mobility while ensuring that transit innovation remains accessible, equitable, and financially sustainable for communities of all sizes.
Leadership Structure and Founding Members
The Mayors Council will be chaired by Paul TenHaken, Mayor of Sioux Falls, and Andy Berke, Mayor of Chattanooga. Serving as President of the Council is former Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who will guide the Council’s strategic direction and facilitate coordination among its members. The inaugural Council also includes Martha Guerrero of West Sacramento, former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, former Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle, and former Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. This diverse group of leaders represents municipalities of varying sizes and geographic regions, ensuring that the Council’s insights reflect a broad spectrum of urban and suburban transit challenges and opportunities.
A Platform for Collaborative Transit Advancement
The newly formed Council is structured as a collaborative platform where municipal leaders can share lessons learned from implementing advanced transit initiatives, ranging from on-demand microtransit systems to data-driven route optimization. By facilitating structured dialogue among experienced city executives, the Council seeks to create a repository of tested strategies that can be adapted by other municipalities nationwide. The initiative acknowledges that cities often face similar obstacles—budget constraints, workforce limitations, infrastructure aging, and shifting rider expectations—yet frequently approach solutions in isolation. Through coordinated engagement, members will exchange proven frameworks for securing funding, navigating regulatory complexities, integrating digital tools, and measuring impact through data-driven performance metrics. The Council’s work will emphasize actionable guidance rather than theoretical discussion, enabling participating cities to translate ideas into measurable improvements in service quality, coverage, and cost efficiency.
Driving Economic Growth Through Transit Innovation
Efficient and affordable public transit systems play a foundational role in local economic vitality. Modern mobility networks enhance workforce accessibility, reduce congestion-related productivity losses, and support sustainable urban development. According to Via’s leadership, the establishment of the Mayors Council comes at a pivotal moment when cities are reassessing mobility strategies in response to technological advancements and changing commuter patterns. By aligning civic leadership with advanced software capabilities, municipalities can better match transit supply with real-time demand, reducing underutilized routes while expanding service to underserved communities. The Council aims to demonstrate how strategic transit investments can generate economic returns by increasing job access, stimulating business activity, and fostering inclusive growth. Through coordinated policy discussions and shared case studies, participating mayors will examine how transit modernization can function not merely as a public service but as a catalyst for long-term economic resilience.
Empowering Mayors with Practical Implementation Insights
A central objective of the Council is to provide mayors with concrete implementation insights derived from firsthand executive experience. Members have collectively overseen initiatives that incorporate digital scheduling systems, flexible routing models, public-private partnerships, and community engagement frameworks. By documenting both successes and challenges, the Council intends to build a transparent knowledge base that addresses critical questions such as funding allocation, stakeholder communication, procurement processes, and performance evaluation. Former Mayor Steven Fulop, serving as President, has emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration in shaping effective transit policy. Through regular convenings, workshops, and strategic briefings, the Council will create opportunities for peer-to-peer mentorship, enabling current city leaders to benefit from the practical experiences of those who have navigated similar transformations.
Leveraging Data-Driven Technology for Smarter Networks
Via’s technology platform underpins public transit systems in hundreds of cities across more than 30 countries, utilizing billions of transit-specific data points to refine operations and improve rider experiences. The software is purpose-built for government agencies, enabling real-time route adjustments, optimized fleet deployment, predictive demand forecasting, and integrated fare management. By leveraging such advanced analytics, cities can transition from static route structures to more adaptive mobility ecosystems that respond dynamically to usage patterns. The Mayors Council will examine how municipalities can responsibly adopt these digital tools while maintaining transparency, equity, and fiscal accountability. Discussions will explore topics such as cybersecurity safeguards, open data standards, interoperability with existing infrastructure, and long-term scalability. The goal is not simply to introduce new technology but to ensure that it is implemented in a manner that aligns with community priorities and public trust.
Addressing Equity and Accessibility in Urban Mobility
Modern mobility initiatives must prioritize equitable service delivery to ensure that technological innovation does not inadvertently widen access gaps. The Council will focus on strategies that expand coverage to historically underserved neighborhoods, improve paratransit efficiency, and integrate multimodal options that accommodate varying rider needs. By sharing models for inclusive outreach and stakeholder engagement, Council members can help cities design systems that reflect the diverse socioeconomic realities of their populations. Data analytics will also play a role in identifying service deserts and evaluating demographic usage patterns, enabling targeted interventions that improve connectivity for low-income residents, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. The Council’s commitment to inclusivity reinforces the broader objective of building transit systems that are not only efficient but also socially responsive.
Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships
Collaboration between municipal governments and technology providers is increasingly essential to modern transit development. The Mayors Council represents a structured avenue for aligning public leadership with private-sector innovation while preserving public oversight and accountability. Through transparent dialogue, Council members can evaluate partnership models that balance risk, performance guarantees, and community impact. The initiative underscores the importance of clearly defined objectives, measurable benchmarks, and shared governance structures in achieving sustainable outcomes. By documenting best practices in contract design and vendor collaboration, the Council aims to equip cities with frameworks that maximize value while safeguarding public interests.
Building a National Network of Innovation Leaders
Beyond individual city improvements, the Council aspires to create a national network of innovation-oriented municipal leaders who can collectively influence broader transit policy conversations. By coordinating insights from cities across different regions, demographic profiles, and economic conditions, the Council can contribute to a more cohesive understanding of modern mobility challenges. This collaborative approach may also support advocacy efforts related to federal and state funding mechanisms, regulatory reform, and infrastructure investment priorities. Through unified messaging and shared evidence of impact, participating mayors can strengthen the case for sustained investment in intelligent transit systems.
Positioning for the Future of Urban Transportation
As mobility ecosystems continue to evolve, cities face mounting pressure to adapt quickly while maintaining fiscal discipline and public accountability. Emerging technologies such as electrified fleets, autonomous vehicle integration, and AI-driven scheduling systems are reshaping the transportation landscape. The Mayors Council provides a proactive forum for anticipating these shifts rather than reacting to them. By engaging in forward-looking dialogue, Council members can assess long-term infrastructure requirements, workforce development implications, and environmental sustainability targets. This strategic orientation ensures that municipalities remain prepared for future mobility transformations while grounding innovation in practical governance realities.
A Strategic Commitment to Smarter Transit
The formation of the Mayors Council marks a significant milestone in the ongoing modernization of public transportation across the United States. By uniting experienced municipal leaders under a collaborative framework supported by advanced transit technology, Via is fostering a national dialogue centered on actionable solutions and measurable progress. The Council’s emphasis on economic growth, equitable access, fiscal responsibility, and technological innovation reflects a comprehensive approach to mobility reform. Through shared expertise and coordinated strategy, participating cities are positioned to accelerate the adoption of smarter, more efficient transit systems that enhance quality of life and expand opportunity for residents nationwide.
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