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Driver-owned Ride-hailing Platform Fare Co-op Expands in California with Over 5,000 Registered Drivers and Increased Investments

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The move comes ahead of the robotaxi era, empowering drivers to secure their future in the age of automation

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fare Co-op, the world’s first hybrid, corporate ride-hailing & delivery cooperative, is expanding its platform throughout California, experiencing significant growth with over 5,000 registered drivers across the state. This expansion comes amid increased investment in the platform and its infrastructure, positioning Fare Co-op as a leading force in the evolving transportation landscape.

“This rapid growth in California demonstrates the strong demand for a driver-centric ride-hailing model. With thousands of drivers now on the platform, and more joining daily, Fare Co-op is proving that drivers can thrive while building a more equitable and sustainable transportation system,” explained Ivan Olivo, CEO of Fare Co-op/Local Driver Co-op Federation. “We are committed to empowering California drivers and ensuring their voices are heard as we navigate the future of transportation together.”

Unlike traditional cooperatives, Fare Co-op’s innovative model allows for partial corporate ownership while remaining majority driver-owned. Inspired by VISA’s 1967 structure, which led to the largest IPO in U.S. history, Fare Co-op presents a compelling alternative at a critical time for drivers.

California drivers have faced mounting challenges since the repeal of AB5, which offered them employee status and benefits, and its replacement with Proposition 22, a law backed by over $200 million from industry giants. As a result, drivers have been relegated to independent contractors without the rights and protections they need. In the years since Prop 22’s passage, driver wages have fallen, while consumer prices have surged. The unveiling of robotaxis adds an existential threat: autonomous vehicles could displace millions of drivers entirely, leaving them with no source of income and little recourse.

Fare Co-op’s referral program is designed to empower both drivers and consumers by offering them a unique opportunity to earn passive income while helping to expand the platform. Through this program, Fare Co-op gives back up to 25% of its earnings from every ride to those who participate, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem that rewards engagement and loyalty. By referring new drivers and customers to the platform, participants can generate a steady stream of residual income, with the potential to earn thousands of dollars each month simply by bringing in a few hundred users that use the app to order or accept rides. This innovative approach not only fuels the platform’s growth but also provides financial opportunities for those who believe in Fare Co-op’s mission of creating a fairer and more community-driven rideshare experience.

When ride-hailing first emerged, it disrupted the taxi and livery industries but also created new opportunities for work. Autonomous vehicles, however, could wipe out both sectors, pushing countless drivers and their families into financial uncertainty. Meanwhile, the industry’s largest players are partnering with autonomous vehicle manufacturers, cutting drivers out of the future of ride-hailing altogether.

Fare Co-op offers a powerful solution. Through its cooperative structure, drivers retain up to 90% of the earnings portion of each ride, while consumers save up to 20% on average and never experience surge fares. More importantly, Fare Co-op has a long-term vision: enabling drivers to own the autonomous vehicles that would otherwise replace them, securing their stake in the future of transportation.

Fare Co-op is also calling on autonomous vehicle manufacturers to work together, providing special rates and opportunities that allow drivers to stay involved in the industry. Unlike the incumbents, which seek to replace drivers to increase profits, Fare Co-op envisions a future where drivers are not displaced by AI but empowered by it.

Fare Co-op is now operational in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno, Palm Springs, Orange County, Redding and other California cities, offering a driver-owned alternative just as the robotaxi era begins.  Download the app and try FARE today*.

About Fare Co-op

FARE Co-op is a pioneering multi-stakeholder federated cooperative that is revolutionizing the ride-hailing industry. By empowering drivers with ownership and a significant share of the revenue, FARE Co-op creates a more equitable and sustainable transportation system. With a growing network of drivers across North America, FARE Co-op is leading the charge towards a future where drivers are at the heart of the ride-hailing ecosystem. Learn more at https://fare.coop/.

Media contact:

Matt Kovacs
mkovacs@blazepr.com
310-395-5050

* Use Blaze PR referral code to sign up: CCKYBYYA

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/driver-owned-ride-hailing-platform-fare-co-op-expands-in-california-with-over-5-000-registered-drivers-and-increased-investments-302355893.html

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ST Engineering iDirect and MBSat Partner to Build Next-Generation Sovereign Connectivity Services Across Oman and the Middle East

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Intuition ground system selected to support MBSat’s planned 2027 service launch, enabling accelerated deployment, dynamic resource management and scalable service growth

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ST Engineering iDirect today announced a strategic partnership with Mohammed Al Barwani Satellite Company (MBSat), part of Mohammed Al Barwani Group, to provide the ground system technology foundation for MBSat’s next-generation satellite gateway and network operations across Oman and the wider Middle East region. Intuition will provide a flexible, software-defined foundation to support sovereign connectivity services, enabling efficient service deployment, dynamic resource management and scalable network operations.

Intuition will deliver a turnkey ground segment solution that accelerates deployment, simplifies operations and gives MBSat the flexibility to scale services as demand grows. The software-defined platform enables dynamic resource management, service automation and seamless integration with existing and future operational systems. The solution also includes Ka-band gateway infrastructure, service provisioning and management capabilities, open API integration frameworks, training and full-lifecycle support. Together, these capabilities will help MBSat launch and operate services efficiently while adapting to evolving market requirements.

The network will leverage capacity from MB Sat-1, a sovereign MicroGEO satellite, with planned service launch in 2027, to support flexible, scalable connectivity services across the region.

The partnership reflects growing investment in sovereign communications infrastructure across the Middle East as operators seek greater control over service delivery, network expansion and long-term technology evolution.

“This partnership represents an important milestone in our efforts to build an advanced satellite communications platform in Oman and the region,” said Ammar Al Rawahi, General Manager, MBSat. “Through our collaboration with ST Engineering iDirect, we are establishing the technical infrastructure required to launch services efficiently, respond to evolving customer needs and expand into new markets, supporting the sustainable long-term growth of our business.”

“We are providing MBSat with a flexible, software-defined ground platform that integrates with its existing operational environment,” said Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Executive Officer, ST Engineering iDirect. “This enables more efficient service deployment and operations today, with the flexibility to scale, introduce new capabilities and evolve as requirements change.”

About ST Engineering iDirect

ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications, providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their networks. Through its portfolio of ground infrastructure, intelligent networking and advanced satellite communications solutions, the company supports operators, service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-engineering-idirect-and-mbsat-partner-to-build-next-generation-sovereign-connectivity-services-across-oman-and-the-middle-east-302918467.html

SOURCE ST Engineering iDirect

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ST Engineering iDirect and MBSat Partner to Build Next-Generation Sovereign Connectivity Services Across Oman and the Middle East

Published

on

By

Intuition ground system selected to support MBSat’s planned 2027 service launch, enabling accelerated deployment, dynamic resource management and scalable service growth

HERNDON, Va., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ST Engineering iDirect today announced a strategic partnership with Mohammed Al Barwani Satellite Company (MBSat), part of Mohammed Al Barwani Group, to provide the ground system technology foundation for MBSat’s next-generation satellite gateway and network operations across Oman and the wider Middle East region. Intuition will provide a flexible, software-defined foundation to support sovereign connectivity services, enabling efficient service deployment, dynamic resource management and scalable network operations.

Intuition will deliver a turnkey ground segment solution that accelerates deployment, simplifies operations and gives MBSat the flexibility to scale services as demand grows. The software-defined platform enables dynamic resource management, service automation and seamless integration with existing and future operational systems. The solution also includes Ka-band gateway infrastructure, service provisioning and management capabilities, open API integration frameworks, training and full-lifecycle support. Together, these capabilities will help MBSat launch and operate services efficiently while adapting to evolving market requirements.

The network will leverage capacity from MB Sat-1, a sovereign MicroGEO satellite, with planned service launch in 2027, to support flexible, scalable connectivity services across the region.

The partnership reflects growing investment in sovereign communications infrastructure across the Middle East as operators seek greater control over service delivery, network expansion and long-term technology evolution.

“This partnership represents an important milestone in our efforts to build an advanced satellite communications platform in Oman and the region,” said Ammar Al Rawahi, General Manager, MBSat. “Through our collaboration with ST Engineering iDirect, we are establishing the technical infrastructure required to launch services efficiently, respond to evolving customer needs and expand into new markets, supporting the sustainable long-term growth of our business.”

“We are providing MBSat with a flexible, software-defined ground platform that integrates with its existing operational environment,” said Sridhar Kuppanna, Chief Executive Officer, ST Engineering iDirect. “This enables more efficient service deployment and operations today, with the flexibility to scale, introduce new capabilities and evolve as requirements change.”

About ST Engineering iDirect

ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications, providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their networks. Through its portfolio of ground infrastructure, intelligent networking and advanced satellite communications solutions, the company supports operators, service providers, governments and enterprises worldwide.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/st-engineering-idirect-and-mbsat-partner-to-build-next-generation-sovereign-connectivity-services-across-oman-and-the-middle-east-302918467.html

SOURCE ST Engineering iDirect

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Global Security & Technology Summit Unveils Month-Long Program of Activities Ahead of December Event

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Organizing Committee of the Global Security & Technology Summit (GSTS) held an introductory session today at the Ministry of Interior’s headquarters in Riyadh, bringing together representatives from the government, private, and nonprofit sectors to introduce the program of activities leading up to the summit. The upcoming summit will be held in Riyadh under the patronage of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, under the supervision of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Interior, and organized by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Tuwaiq Academy.

During the session, the Organizing Committee presented the comprehensive GSTS program, comprising three key components: GSTS Month, running from November 1 to 30, 2026; the Global Security & Innovation Fair (SAIF), taking place from November 24 to 26, 2026; and the main Summit, scheduled for December 18 to 20, 2026, in Riyadh. Together, these events form an integrated program designed to advance security and technology innovation, strengthen national capabilities, and foster international cooperation.

GSTS Month will feature working groups, boot camps, training programs, knowledge-sharing sessions, and technical workshops across Saudi Arabia’s 13 administrative regions, delivered both in person and remotely in collaboration with specialized entities. The month-long program aims to develop national capabilities, identify emerging talent, enrich knowledge-sharing opportunities, and equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to develop innovative solutions to future security and technology challenges.

The main Summit will bring together global leaders, decision-makers, experts, and innovators to explore the future of security and technology, promote the integration of advanced technologies within the security sector, strengthen national capabilities, support innovation, and foster international cooperation, further positioning the Kingdom as a global hub for security and technology.

Showcasing the latest technological breakthroughs and security solutions, the summit will bring together government entities, private sector organizations, academic institutions, and research centers to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration across key fields, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), smart security solutions, emerging technologies, and crisis management. The program will also feature main sessions, specialized discussions, and interactive exhibitions. Registration is available at gsts.sa.

Advisor to HRH the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the GSTS Organizing Committee, Ahmed Altowayan, stated that the summit builds on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish an advanced security and technology ecosystem focused on knowledge and innovation, keeping pace with rapid developments and future challenges.

Mr. Altowayan noted that the summit is a global platform for strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise, anticipating future developments in security and technology, and developing strategic partnerships and innovative solutions that enhance the efficiency and readiness of security systems.

Vice Chairman of the GSTS Organizing Committee, Eng. Abdulaziz Alhammadi, said that the summit will offer a range of integrated programs and activities focused on enhancing national skills, encouraging innovation, and supporting international cooperation.

He added that GSTS Month will help build national capabilities, discover talent, and develop skills, with SAIF providing a platform for innovators and researchers from around the world to showcase leading technological solutions, while the main Summit will bring together leaders and experts to discuss the future of security and technology and explore new strategic partnership opportunities.

SAIF will take place at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, bringing together innovators, researchers, technology talents, and industry experts from around the world to showcase promising innovations and projects across 14 fields of technology and innovation. The fair will provide opportunities to engage with project owners, including students, graduates, and entrepreneurs, and explore the different stages of innovation development through interactive zones, panel discussions on emerging security and innovation trends, and knowledge-sharing workshops led by specialists. Visitor registration is open to participants from within and outside the Kingdom through saifair.sa.

The introductory session also featured contributions from representatives of government, private, and nonprofit sector entities, alongside members of the media. Discussions focused on developing national capabilities in security and technology, strengthening students’ technical expertise, translating scientific research into practical solutions, and supporting Saudi companies in developing security and technology solutions and advancing digital transformation.

Organized by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with Tuwaiq Academy, GSTS is produced by Tahaluf, with the Ministry of Education serving as Strategic Scientific Partner, Tahakom as Founding Partner, and Elm as Principal Partner.

Registration for participants from within and outside the Kingdom is available at gsts.sa.

Click here to view the media kit. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-security–technology-summit-unveils-month-long-program-of-activities-ahead-of-december-event-302918695.html

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