Ground Transportation

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the ground transportation sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on car rental, ride-hailing, taxis and rail. 

Uber adds AI chat powered by OpenAI’s GPT4o to help drivers embrace electric vehicles
News / Online
Uber adds AI chat powered by OpenAI’s GPT4o to help drivers embrace electric vehicles
By Mitra Sorrells | October 8, 2024
The rideshare platform said it also has enough electric vehicles in more than 40 cities to enable EV-only option in its app.   Read More
As pressures mount on corporate travel to improve sustainability, progress is challenging
News / Online
As pressures mount on corporate travel to improve sustainability, progress is challenging
By Morgan Hines | October 4, 2024
Corporate travel is dealing with pressure from employees, a more stringent government and regulatory environment and stronger climate science as it continues to look for ways to operate more... Read More
Decentralized Identity Foundation hackathon kicks off with track focused on travel solutions
News / Technology
Decentralized Identity Foundation hackathon kicks off with track focused on travel solutions
By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2024
Developers entering the “Hospitality and Travel Challenge” have to demonstrate how decentralized identity technology combined with traditional travel technology can create a more frictionless,... Read More
Priceline adds voice capabilities from OpenAI to "Penny" chatbot
News / Technology
Priceline adds voice capabilities from OpenAI to "Penny" chatbot
By Morgan Hines | October 2, 2024
Priceline's Penny chatbot can “hear” and understand user questions, predict needs based on historical interactions and "speak" its response. Read More
HotelRunner widens distribution offering with Bookingate acquisition
News / Distribution
HotelRunner widens distribution offering with Bookingate acquisition
By Linda Fox | October 1, 2024
The acquisition broadens HotelRunner's offering, enabling it to help travel agencies, tour operators and destination management companies solve challenges with distribution as well as direct and offline... Read More
B2B ground transportation marketplace Distribusion raises $80M
News / Technology
B2B ground transportation marketplace Distribusion raises $80M
By Morgan Hines | September 26, 2024
Distribusion connects nearly 2,000 ground transportation providers worldwide across bus, rail and ferry services to more than 150 retailers through a single API. Read More
Phocuswire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Thayer Ventures, Sabre, Cloudbeds and more
News / Distribution
Phocuswire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Thayer Ventures, Sabre, Cloudbeds and more
By PhocusWire | September 20, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
Agoda’s co-founder Rosenstein: AI will widen the gap between haves and have-nots in travel
News / Technology
Agoda’s co-founder Rosenstein: AI will widen the gap between haves and have-nots in travel
By Yeoh Siew Hoon - WiT | September 19, 2024
Robert Rosenstein said that while smaller companies can be faster and more nimble, the fact is the biggest benefit of AI right now to increase productivity and cut staff plays to the big companies. Read More
Hotel Engine raises $140M, rebrands to Engine
News / Technology
Hotel Engine raises $140M, rebrands to Engine
By Linda Fox | September 19, 2024
The company plans to use the funding to support product development, including the launch of flight and rental car bookings on its platform in October.   Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Ryanair, Trip.com, Sabre and more
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Amadeus, Ryanair, Trip.com, Sabre and more
By PhocusWire | August 30, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup.   Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Hotels.com, Hospitable and more
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Sabre, Hotels.com, Hospitable and more
By PhocusWire | August 23, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Holibob, RedAwning, Cloudbeds, AirDNA and more
News / Online
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Holibob, RedAwning, Cloudbeds, AirDNA and more
By PhocusWire | August 16, 2024
Keep up with all the latest people, product and partner news from around the global travel industry in PhocusWire's weekly roundup. Read More
Grab revenue up 17% YoY, focused on AI for future growth
News / Online
Grab revenue up 17% YoY, focused on AI for future growth
By Mitra Sorrells | August 15, 2024
In the company's Q2 earnings report, CEO Anthony Tan shared examples of how it is using AI and specifically generative AI to drive growth. Read More
Meet the 10 winners of the 2024 Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch
News / Startups
Meet the 10 winners of the 2024 Phocuswright/WiT Global Startup Pitch
By PhocusWire | August 15, 2024
The next round of the competition will take place at WiT Singapore, October 14-16, where the audience will select the People's Choice winners in the Seedup and Scaleup cateogories. Read More
Earnings roundup: TUI Group, TBO Tek, Yatra, Mondee
News / Online
Earnings roundup: TUI Group, TBO Tek, Yatra, Mondee
By Mitra Sorrells | August 15, 2024
As publicly traded travel companies continue to report their earnings quarter that ended June 30, we round up the latest reports. Read More
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