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Media

Resources for journalists, bloggers, and media professionals covering the gig economy and workforce development.

Press Kit

Download Press Kit

Press kit includes:

  • The Rideshare Academy logo (multiple formats)
  • Founder headshot (high resolution)
  • Program overview one-pager
  • Fact sheet and key statistics
  • Boilerplate description

The Story

The Rideshare Academy represents a first-of-its-kind partnership between a community college and a rideshare industry veteran to address the critical training gap in the gig economy.

Founded by Jim Lantos, an 11-year rideshare driver with over 10,000 completed rides, the program brings institutional credibility and academic standards to an industry where most drivers receive no formal training in business operations, tax planning, or strategic optimization.

In partnership with Southern Maine Community College, The Rideshare Academy launched America's first college-backed rideshare driver Program in Spring 2026.

Media Inquiries

For press inquiries, interview requests, or additional information:

βœ‰οΈ [email protected]

We welcome opportunities to discuss:

  • The gig economy training gap
  • Workforce development and continuing education
  • The future of rideshare as a profession
  • College-industry partnerships for non-traditional careers
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Why The Rideshare Academy Is Needed
1.
For first-time job hunters, a college degree isn't unlocking the opportunities it once did, data shows
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2.
25% of long-term unemployed Americans have been seeking work for 6+ months
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Unemployment could hit 25% among recent grads and trigger β€˜unprecedented’ social disruption thanks to AI, U.S. senator warns
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4.
Gig Economy Attracting Workers As Layoffs Rise, Report Says
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5.
RideGuru Forum (Industry Discussion)
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6.
CNBC / The Information (April 2017)
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Stanford University / Uber Research (Cook, Diamond, Hall, List, Oyer)
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McKinsey & Company (July 2017)
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ScienceDirect / University of Colorado Denver (October 2019)
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ScienceDirect / University of Colorado Denver (October 2019)
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11.
MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research / Stanford (Zoepf et al., 2018)
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NPR (March 2018)
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The Rideshare Guy (July 2020)
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JPMorgan Chase Institute
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PBS NewsHour / JPMorgan Chase (September 2018)
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ScienceDirect / Transportation Research (June 2024)
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17.
ScienceDirect / Transportation Research Part C (November 2023)
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18.
The Rideshare Guy (March 2023)
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19.
GLG / Former Uber Product Manager (October 2025)
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