On Thursday, April 16th, and Friday, April 17th, Alianza in Colombia will host their second annual forum, focusing on the future of transportation and technology as drivers of economic growth, social development, and innovation.

Scheduled just one month before the Presidential elections in Colombia, this year’s event takes place at a pivotal time for the nation. It will convene government officials, business leaders, academics, and technology providers to strategically examine challenges and opportunities anticipated in the coming years.

Alianza In Colombia aims to provide an influential platform for discussion regarding the impact of innovation, regulation, and digital transformation in shaping a more competitive and equitable country that addresses the authentic needs of its citizens.

Matt Daus, President of IATR, will deliver a keynote speech on “Modernizing Taxicab & Ride-hailing Regulations in Colombia – International Experiences & Insight” on Friday, April 17^th at 3 PM. 

During his presentation, Matt will cover:

• The global inflection point facing the taxi industry and how regulatory frameworks have struggled to keep pace with technological change—along with how Colombia can get it right 
• How Bogotá can build on its leadership in shared mobility to shape forward-looking for-hire transportation policies 
• Strategies for creating a level playing field, including consistent rules across platforms, expanded technology access for taxis, elimination of arbitrary caps, and meaningful enforcement against unlicensed operators 
• Opportunities to integrate taxi and ride-hail services through thoughtful, modern regulatory frameworks

As part of the discussion, he will refer to two IATR reports, Modernizing Taxi Regulations: An Innovative Governance Framework for the Future and Vehicle Licensing Caps: Modernizing the Regulatory Framework, which create the foundation for modernization principles and for open competitive markets that are vital for the industry to be successful and provide high-quality services to riders.

Additional speakers during the conference will include:

• Angela Mendoza, General Manager for Uber Canada
• Karla Wong, Education and Public Sector Leader for Amazon Web Services
• Senya Andreev, Regional Director at inDrive
• Martin Vasquez Escobar, Co-Founder of Aztec
• Diana Rosa Ahumada Garcia, Public Policy Lead BBVA in Columbia
• Carolina Franco, Founder and CEO of Hookloop
• Daniel Schlesinger, Country Manager of Cabify in Colombia
• Daniel Bilbao, CEO and co-founder of Truora

You can find out more about the conference, including the full agenda, list of speakers, and registration details, at Alianza in Congreso. You can also follow along on social media via #FuturoDigital2030 and #AlianzaIN2026.

Image: Reuters

It’s not every day that a CEO of one of the most recognizable companies will ask its frontline employees and customers for direct feedback. 

But last week, Lyft CEO David Risher did just that. The ride hailing company began its annual hackathon this month, and Risher took to LinkedIn to ask drivers and riders about what they need from Lyft.

“What Lyft is doing is smart, they’re giving people, frontline people, the drivers, permission to and a process to redefine experiences, instead of just complaining about it after the fact,” Michael Hinshaw, president of McorpCX, said. “They’re doing it with them, rather than to them.” 

Lyft isn’t the only company to focus on co-creation, according to Hinshaw. But it is promoting it in a way that other companies would do well to follow. 

“Lyft’s hackathon gives team members the opportunity to address customer pain points, ideate on new possibilities outside of existing roadmaps, and learn new skills to better serve customers,” Bala Muthiah, Lyft’s director of engineering, told CX Dive in an email. “It’s employee-driven, meaning ideas come from people closest to the products and we have award categories that are designed to channel that energy toward business-critical outcomes.”

Source: CX Drive

Click Here to Read More

Council Committee Backs Raising Chicago Cab Fares by 20% to Save Ailing Taxi Industry

Chicago taxicab fares could soon rise by 20% — the first rate hike in a decade — to save a once-dominant industry whose monopoly was, as one City Council member put it, “eviscerated” by Uber and Lyft. Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) cast the only dissenting vote as the measure won backing from the Committee on License and Consumer Protection Monday, even after he acknowledged that the city’s failure to raise cab fare rates has made it “increasingly difficult for drivers to maintain their livelihood and meet regulatory standards” imposed by the city.

Click Here to Read More

Uber Providing Free Rides to Domestic Violence Survivors

Domestic violence survivors often refuse to seek help because of transportation challenges. Uber Technologies leaders are trying to change that. In the summer of 2025, the Fortune 500 company partnered with Alliance for HOPE International and launched the Hope Rides program. Victims can receive free rides through Uber to get access to necessary services. This can help remove any financial burdens. The effort is a collaboration with Family Justice Centers across the country. A diverse range of resources are provided at these facilities.

Click Here to Read More

Ford CEO Warns of Chinese Automakers Threat to US Auto Industry

Ford CEO Jim Farley has issued a sharp warning about Chinese automakers, describing them as a potential threat to the U.S. automotive industry. He stated that China already possesses the manufacturing capacity to meet the entire demand of the American market.

Click Here to Read More

Out from the Shadows: EVIO’s Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Plan

Montreal-based aerospace startup EVIO came out of the shadows when it announced plans to develop a family of clean sheet 50- to 100-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft optimized for passenger, cargo, and military missions. After eight years of engineering and trade studies, the company revealed the 76/88-seat EVIO 810 aircraft, which has received technical support and investment from Boeing and Boeing Canada. And the company is collaborating with RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Canada to develop a “strong hybrid-electric” propulsion system.

Click Here to Read More

Transit Windsor to Become a City Department

Changes are coming to how Transit Windsor operates. On Monday,City Council approved an alternative governance model that integrates public transit into the City’s municipal structure, making Transit Windsor a full City of Windsor department. Effective October 18th, 2026, the Transit Windsor Board of Directors will be discontinued, and all aspects of Transit Windsor’s operations will be governed by City Council as a whole.

Click Here to Read More

Proposed Electric Ferry Services Use of Downtown Vancouver Dock Supported

A step forward on the proposed 2028 launch of an electric ferry connection between the Sunshine Coast and the Lower Mainland was made at the April 13 Vancouver Parks Board meeting. That elected body supported a proposal to transition its Harbour Green Dock, located in Coal Harbour, into the downtown Vancouver base for CIRQL (formerly Greenline) Ferries for a passenger-only service linking that city, Gibsons and Bowen Island.

Click Here to Read More

Hundreds More Flights Cancelled As Another Two-Day Walkout Planned in Major Strike

Lufthansa is bracing for further widespread disruption as its cabin crew union announced a two-day strike later this week, following a walkout last Friday and an ongoing pilots' strike. The UFO union has called for the industrial action to affect all departures from Frankfurt and Munich on Wednesday and Thursday.

Click Here to Read More

London Taxi Driver Numbers Continue to Decline Despite Rise in New Applicants

The number of licensed taxi drivers in London has continued to decrease over the past year, even as more people show interest in joining the trade. Latest figures from Transport for London (TfL) show there are 15,978 licensed drivers as of April 2026, continuing a downward trend seen in recent years. Weekly data indicates a further net loss of 26 drivers, with only one new licence issued during the most recent reporting period. Of those currently licensed, 14,468 hold All London licences, while 1,534 are authorised to operate in suburban areas.

Click Here to Read More

Redditch Taxi Licence Fee Increases Face Industry Backlash over Costs and Risk of Drivers Shifting to Rival Authorities

Redditch Borough Council is facing mounting opposition from the local taxi and private hire sector after proposing a 3% increase in licensing fees for the 2026/27 financial year, with industry representatives warning the move could accelerate the shift of drivers to rival authorities. The proposals, set out in a Licensing Committee report dated 2 April 2026, would see the cost of a standard hackney carriage or private hire vehicle licence rise from £308.50 to £318.00, while temporary licences would increase to £238.00. Private hire operator licences for up to three vehicles would increase to £730.00, alongside a marginal rise for each additional vehicle.

Click Here to Read More

Marathi Mandatory for Rickshaw, Taxi Drivers from May 1: Maha Minister

Minister of Transport Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday announced that from May 1, Maharashtra Day, it will be mandatory for licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers to know Marathi. A licence inspection campaign will be conducted through 59 regional and sub-regional offices of the Motor Transport Department, and it will be verified whether the concerned drivers can read and write Marathi. The licences of drivers who do not know Marathi will be cancelled, he added.

Click Here to Read More

Can Taxi Digitisation Fix South Africa’s Industry Problems?

Jean Williams, whose name has been altered to protect his identity, shared the challenges he faced while managing minibus taxi drivers and the reasons he put those days behind him. Theo Malele, spokesperson for the National Taxi Alliance, highlighted the industry’s challenges and suggested digital solutions to address them.

Click Here to Read More

Ajman Transport Authority Records over 6.6mln Taxi Users during Q1 2026

Taxi users in Ajman rose 5.6 percent in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting stronger demand for transport services in the emirate, the Ajman Transport Authority said. The number of taxi users reached 6,644,536 in the first quarter of 2026, up from 6,293,538 in the same period in 2025, an increase of 350,998 users.

Click Here to Read More

Flywheel Technologies and Uber Sponsored Mike Harmon Racing No. 74 On Track at Bristol Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway is known as one of NASCAR’s legendary short tracks with high banks and a half mile concrete tracks that see speeds that average 125 MPH but feel so much faster due to its nonstop close-quarters racing for hundreds of laps. Bristol has been nicknamed “The Last Great Colosseum” and the Suburban Propane 300 on Saturday April 11th lived up to this billing.

Among the notable entries at this year’s race was the primary sponsorship of the Mike Harmon Racing No. 74 by Flywheel Technologies and Uber.

Their partnership reflects a broader strategy of one of the leading global mobility companies and an innovative technology company to engage with motorsports audiences on one of the sport's biggest and most exciting venues.

By working with Mike Harmon Racing for the Suburban Propane 300, Flywheel Technologies, and Uber positioned themselves at the intersection of innovation, transportation, and performance. NASCAR’s national reach and highly engaged fan base provide an ideal environment for mobility-focused brands seeking to reinforce their connection to speed, logistics, and real-world transportation solutions.

The IATR would like to congratulate our friend and long-time IATR supporter Izzy Aala, CEO of Flywheel, for this partnership with NASCAR and Uber. We look forward to seeing the Flywheel car on track more often and in victory lane.

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2026:

Weekly news snippets

Access to the membership database

Videos and files from recent conferences

Discounted rates for future conferences, and more!

Renew your membership at http://www.iatr.global or email info@iatr.global for any questions!