There are many ways to participate. In these early days one of the most interesting is to own an LMC, Local Mobility Company.

Definition: A Local Mobility Company (LMC) is a privately owned, or public-private venture, that provides and applies JPods’ patented form of Personal Automated Mobility (PAM) in a given area.

LMCs work with all different types of community members; elected officials, the media, neighborhood groups, local government, and private capital, to receive the necessary approval to build and operate a JPods network. All the while, LMCs operate like any other transportation company- raising capital, performing market research, ensuring the safe, reliable operation of JPods, and engaging in advertising campaigns.

By owning a portion of a LMC, local units of government help provide part of the financing all the while creating a reliable stream of income for city and/or county coffers. With public financing comes the possibility of easier permitting and speedier rights of ways. Local control and ownership of LMCs by government, businesses, and individuals is encouraged.

JPods LLC believes that there is a strong economic value in having newly purchased LMCs connect with existing, neighboring operating LMCs. Larger networks and equitable cost sharing means more riders, more destinations, and more revenue. In general, larger networks also bring in economies of scale that drive down total per-mile costs, lower per unit JPod manufacturing costs, and provide more stations. The net effect is more riders, decreased congestion, and greater revenues.

In any signed agreement JPods LLC will provide the use of JPods patented Personal Automated Mobility (PAM) technology, technical assistance, the licensing of its software, and the use of existing and future JPods advertising and marketing materials. In exchange for cash, JPods LLC can sell its financial interest in a given LMC. JPods LLC can also work with individuals and investors to provide capital to any given LMC creation. JPods LLC will also provide all necessary rail, station, and JPod maintenance documents.

JPods LLC wants to make it as easy as possible to form and operate LMCs. Consequently, JPods LLC’s Government Relations and marketing arms will create a series of documents, reports, and downloadable information for local governments. As newly formed LMCs interact to get lines built, JPods LLC will also offer architectural planning documents/support and JPods LLC staff to provide needed urban planning assistance. These documents will include technical specifications, frequently asked questions, draft resolutions and ordinances, all created to help LMC owners, local and county governments, and the public smoothly transition from concept to construction.

JPods PAM technology will demand new ways of thinking for regulatory agencies and the insurance industry. JPods LLC understands the importance and necessity of educating these entities. JPods LLC intends to work closely with these agencies and companies to bring forth the best insurance and regulatory framework possible. It is also likely that as the number of LMCs grow, and JPods safety record is established, LMCs’ bargaining power with insurance companies will increase as costs decrease.

Like any other company, LMCs can go public creating the potential for significant profits for their owners.

Further, owners of LMCs are simply not purchasing the rights to own and operate a transportation company. Owners of LMCs are also purchasing real estate that can be resold again. Recognizing this, JPods LLC will be shortly forming LMC Marketplace, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of JPods LLC.

LMC Marketplace intends to create an aftermarket clearinghouse for LMC sales at www.LMCmarketplace.com. (site soon under construction). The owners of LMCs will automatically be placed on this site. Owners wishing to sell their LMCs will be able to list their asking price. Akin to a real estate broker, LMC Marketplace LLC will receive a commission on the transaction. LMC Marketplace will also serve as the titleholder of all LMCs. The size of the percentage and other details remain to be determined.

LMCmarketplace.com will also allow current LMC owners to sell individual JPods, and their corresponding revenue, to members of the public. Such sales could allow for innovations like families purchasing a JPod for their child’s education (with the post-expense fare revenue going to a pre-determined college fund).  LMCMarketplace.com will also allow the public to purchase, or bid upon, the revenue associated with owning certain lengths of rail offered for sale by individual LMCs.