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. 

India’s EaseMyTrip acquires minority interest in ETrav Tech
News / Online
India’s EaseMyTrip acquires minority interest in ETrav Tech
By Mitra Sorrells | April 1, 2024
EaseMyTrip has made several investments in the last year to diversify its business beyond air travel into hotels and said this investment will help it grow its B2B efforts. Read More
Uber invests in Nigeria-founded mobility startup Moove
News / Startups
Uber invests in Nigeria-founded mobility startup Moove
By Mitra Sorrells | March 19, 2024
Founded in 2020, Moove said it has helped finance vehicles for more than 20,000 customers across Africa, the Middle East, India and the United Kingdom who have provided more than 30 million trips... Read More
Busbud continues Latin America growth with acquisition of Brazil-based bus marketplace
News / Distribution
Busbud continues Latin America growth with acquisition of Brazil-based bus marketplace
By Mitra Sorrells | March 19, 2024
Buson is one of the largest online platforms for bus ticket booking in Brazil, offering more than 70,000 routes from more than 300 bus operators. Read More
InDrive secures additional $150M from General Catalyst to accelerate growth
News / Startups
InDrive secures additional $150M from General Catalyst to accelerate growth
By Mitra Sorrells | March 18, 2024
Ride-hailing company inDrive operates in 46 countries and uses a bid-based business model whereby riders input pickup and drop-off locations and propose a price and drivers can either accept or... Read More
Voi raises $25M to scale e-scooter and e-bike fleet
News / Startups
Voi raises $25M to scale e-scooter and e-bike fleet
By Morgan Hines | March 14, 2024
As the world of micro-mobility sees consolidation, Voi has raised an additional $25 million in funding. Read More
Plusgrade gets investment from General Atlantic to fuel growth, M&A
News / Online
Plusgrade gets investment from General Atlantic to fuel growth, M&A
By Mitra Sorrells | March 5, 2024
Founded in 2009, Plusgrade provides ancillary revenue solutions and loyalty expertise for travel suppliers, with more than 200 customers across a variety of sectors. Read More
Tripadvisor Plus is shutting down after three years
News / Online
Tripadvisor Plus is shutting down after three years
By Morgan Hines | March 1, 2024
In remarks at the Phocuswright Conference in November, Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg said the company would focus on the benefits of free membership versus trying to build the paid subscription program. Read More
Cabana founder on lessons learned from failed startup
Opinion / Startups
Cabana founder on lessons learned from failed startup
By Scott Kubly | March 1, 2024
Founded in 2019, Cabana offered a “hotel-on-wheels.” It had raised more than $17 million, had $2 million in annual revenue, and its more than 4,000 customers had booked 20,000 nights. Read More
15below gets investment from LDC to accelerate growth
News / Technology
15below gets investment from LDC to accelerate growth
By Mitra Sorrells | March 1, 2024
Founded in 2000, 15below currently works with more than 60 airlines, rail operators, travel agencies and TMCs and partners with Amadeus and Navitaire. Read More
Booking Holdings will appeal $530M fine by Spanish competition authority
News / Online
Booking Holdings will appeal $530M fine by Spanish competition authority
By Mitra Sorrells | February 22, 2024
Booking Holdings reported its fourth quarter and full year 2023 earnings late Thursday, with records across multiple financial metrics including revenue that soared 40% higher than 2019. Read More
Ixigo prepares for fresh IPO
News / Online
Ixigo prepares for fresh IPO
By Linda Fox | February 20, 2024
Online travel platform Ixigo has filed a draft prospectus with the Security and Exchange Body of India detailing its plans for a public listing. Read More
With speculation of a sale in the air, Tripadvisor reports record revenue driven – again – by Viator
News / Online
With speculation of a sale in the air, Tripadvisor reports record revenue driven – again – by Viator
By Mitra Sorrells | February 14, 2024
Two days after announcing it has created a special committee and retained a mergers and acquisition advisory firm, Tripadvisor reported an all-time high for revenue in 2023 led by a 49% growth in... Read More
Mobility specialist CMAC Group acquired by ComfortDelGro for £80M
News / Distribution
Mobility specialist CMAC Group acquired by ComfortDelGro for £80M
By Linda Fox | February 13, 2024
United Kingdom-based CMAC manages journeys for almost 3 million travelers through partnerships with airlines, train operators and corporations. It also offers private and ride-share transfer at... Read More
Priceline expands generative AI chatbot across all products on its platform
News / Technology
Priceline expands generative AI chatbot across all products on its platform
By Mitra Sorrells | February 13, 2024
Priceline said it has created more than 30 new features built on intelligence it has gathered from millions of customers that have used the technology since it debuted in June. Read More
Jeff Katz on Journera’s shutdown and why a connected trip still matters
Opinion / Startups
Jeff Katz on Journera’s shutdown and why a connected trip still matters
By Jeff Katz - Journera | February 12, 2024
Jeff Katz shares his lessons from trying to build Journera and why he still believes in the need for the industry to break down silos in a traveler’s journey. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026