Image: ITNAmerica

Every day, millions of older Americans are stranded without transportation, while countless people who would gladly help remain unaware of their need. America’s Volunteer Driver Center (AVDC) is a national public information campaign launched by ITNAmerica to bridge this gap by recruiting volunteer drivers and introducing them to local nonprofit transportation providers serving older adults and people with mobility challenges.

Across the country, nonprofit transportation providers rely on volunteer drivers to help people access healthcare, groceries, pharmacies, social activities, and other essential destinations. Yet many organizations report difficulty recruiting enough volunteers to meet growing demand. AVDC seeks to change the way Americans think about and support nonprofit community-based transportation. Through a coordinated national public information campaign, AVDC is working to recruit 150,000 volunteer drivers and 1,000 nonprofit and government-affiliated transportation providers nationwide.

Volunteer transportation is one of the most effective ways communities can help older adults and people with mobility challenges remain mobile, independent, and connected. Whether helping someone get to a medical appointment, pick up groceries, or participate in community life, volunteer drivers make a meaningful difference every day. America’s Volunteer Driver Center is to volunteer driver recruitment what the Red Cross is to blood donation.

For additional information about the campaign, visit: Americas Volunteer Driver Center.

Image: Gov.UK

The UK government is inviting the public to help shape the safety principles that will govern self-driving vehicles on Britain’s roads. 

The draft statement of safety principles outlines 10 requirements that autonomous vehicles would be expected to meet before they can be authorised for deployment. 

A public consultation has now been launched on the proposals, seeking feedback from organisations representing road users, road safety groups and self-driving vehicle businesses before the principles are laid before Parliament for approval next year.

Among the 10 draft principles is a requirement for self-driving vehicles to follow the Highway Code and maintain control at all times. They must also be able to “predict, detect and respond” to hazards, behave in a predictable manner and adapt to changing weather and road conditions. 

The draft measures further state that autonomous vehicles should be “considerate” around vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists and interact safely with emergency services.

Running until September 2026, the consultation enables respondents to state whether they agree or disagree with each of the proposed measures and invites suggestions for amendments.

Source: Zag Daily

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California Rideshare Drivers Move Toward Unionizing

California rideshare drivers are organizing to form unions, following that state’s unique framework. California drivers recently cleared a key 10% support threshold, moving them closer to collective bargaining.

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Independent Taxi Drivers Fighting to Stay Traditional in San Antonio

Rising inflation, surging insurance costs, and intense competition from rideshare companies are taking a toll on traditional taxi companies. With active cabs dropping from 900 to just 220, drivers are pushing for a city proposal to increase their fares, among other reforms to stabilize the industry.

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Spirit Airlines’ Collapse May Mark the End of Cheap Flying in America, Report Finds

The collapse and permanent shutdown of Spirit Airlines has sparked concerns about the future of affordable US air travel. Spirit’s aggressive pricing historically forced larger airlines to lower fares. Experts warn that reduced capacity and surging jet fuel costs in 2026 will make ultra-cheap fares incredibly difficult for remaining budget carriers to sustain.

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Ridership Data Shows Crowds Took Transit from All over Metro Vancouver to Support Team Canada

Following Canada's first-ever men's FIFA World Cup™ victory, Metro Vancouver's transit system experienced a massive surge in ridership. Led by significant boarding increases in Richmond, Burnaby, and the Tri-Cities, TransLink recorded over 1.36 million boardings on June 18, 2026. This marked the highest single-day transit volume for the region since early 2020, representing an 18% jump over typical Thursday numbers.

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Public Heavy-Truck Charger Opens Along Major Quebec Freight Route

Propulsion Quebec has launched a first heavy-duty EV charging site at the Relais Routier Petit truck stop in Sainte-Hélène de Bagot. It marks the first operational milestone in an initiative to electrify the high-traffic freight corridor between Quebec City and Toronto.

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Bird Canada Running Micro Mobility Safety and Info Sessions in Spruce Grove

The City of Spruce Grove has teamed up with Bird Canada to launch a shared electric scooter and bicycle micromobility program. Attendees can test out the e-scooters and e-bikes for free, learn local operational rules, and practice safe riding habits.

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Paris Taxi Scam Cost £493 but Monzo Won't Help Me

A British tourist in Paris was scammed out of €570 for an €8 taxi ride when the driver altered the amount on the card reader. The victim’s bank refused to dispute the charge due to a lack of physical evidence, leaving the victim unprotected.

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Octopus and CATL Unveil a Giant EV Truck Battery Swapping Network

Energy supplier Octopus and battery giant CATL have launched a joint venture called "Swaptopus" to build a heavy-duty electric truck battery-swapping network across the UK and Europe. Slated to begin rolling out in 2027, the network would support over 300,000 commercial vehicles by 2035, enabling drivers to swap battery packs and resume driving in minutes.

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Commission welcomes landmark agreement on revised air passenger rights

The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on the revision of EU air passenger rights. This landmark agreement marks the first overhaul of these rules in over two decades. It modernizes and strengthens EU air passenger rights by clarifying existing provisions and reinforcing legal certainty for travelers, airlines, and enforcement authorities across the Union.

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Kia’s Electric Van Is Becoming So Popular That Supply Is Now Being Rationed

Kia’s new PV5 electric van has become an immediate global success following its initial launch in Europe and South Korea. Demand is soaring so quickly that Kia is now forced to ration supply for expanding overseas markets like Australia, Japan, and Canada. Extremely competitive pricing has led to overwhelming interest from dealers and fleet buyers, outstripping initial supply targets.

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Hong Kong to Mandate Health Checks for Commercial Drivers Aged 65 and Above

Hong Kong plans to introduce annual mandatory vision, hearing, and general physical fitness for renewal health checks for professional drivers to 65 by mid-2027 to improve road safety following several fatal crashes. This overhaul requires annual medical assessments covering.

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Mumbai BEST Strike Enters Day 2; Bus Services Suspended Across City

The strike by employees of Mumbai's BEST, the city’s largest bus operator, has entered its second day, severely disrupting daily commutes. With thousands of buses off the roads, commuters are forced to rely on overcrowded local trains and taxis. A resolution has not yet been reached regarding the employees' demands.

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Image: Gov.UK

The move will see Mobileye operate robotaxi services directly rather than only providing autonomous driving systems to automakers and operators which is how the company has historically positioned itself. 

Mobileye plans to launch in a U.S. city in 2027 with an initial fleet of 100 vehicles, though the company declined to disclose which city. Within the following five years, Mobileye is targeting 17,000 self-driving vehicles deployed on its platform.

“As interest in autonomous mobility accelerates, the industry has become increasingly dependent on a small number of technology providers and business models,” said Mobileye CEO and Founder Prof. Amnon Shashua. 

“The robotaxi revolution has only just begun and its potential for transforming how we travel around the world continues to increase.”

Mobileye’s ride-hailing service will use Mobileye Drive, its autonomous driving system which is already deployed through partnerships with operators including Uber, Lyft, Moia and Deutsche Bahn as well as automakers like Volkswagen and Benteler Holon. 

Source: Zag Daily

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