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. 

Google's Waymo collects $2.5B to continue autonomous driving push
News / Technology
Google's Waymo collects $2.5B to continue autonomous driving push
By Kevin May | June 18, 2021
The new investment follows a $2.25 billion deal in March 2020, a top-up round of $750 million just three months later and the departure of its CEO in April 2021. Read More
How I Got Here, episode 69 - Dean Donovan of DiamondStream Partners
Interview / Technology
How I Got Here, episode 69 - Dean Donovan of DiamondStream Partners
By PhocusWire | June 18, 2021
After playing a central role in the creation of Mexico's first low-cost carrier, DiamondStream is now an important player in the development of companies and next-generation technology in the mobility... Read More
TripAdvisor gives Plus subscription service a full launch, adds spending partners
News / Online
TripAdvisor gives Plus subscription service a full launch, adds spending partners
By Kevin May | June 16, 2021
The subscription-based program is free for accommodation suppliers to join, while travelers can sign up for an annual membership fee of $99 and get access to savings as well as other offers. Read More
Vassla revs up with $11M raise for micro-mobility platform launch
News / Startups
Vassla revs up with $11M raise for micro-mobility platform launch
By Linda Fox | June 15, 2021
Sweden-based micro-mobility startup Vassla plans to bring its e-bike and e-moped hybrid to a number of European cities. Read More
Didi files for IPO at $65B valuation
News / Technology
Didi files for IPO at $65B valuation
By Linda Fox | June 14, 2021
    The company has raised more than $21 billion in funding from a series of high profile investors including Softbank, Toyota, Booking Holdings and Apple. Read More
Outdoorsy leads Collective Retreats’ $23M funding round, enters new strategic partnership
News / Online
Outdoorsy leads Collective Retreats’ $23M funding round, enters new strategic partnership
By Jill Menze | June 9, 2021
Together, RV rental platform Outdoorsy and luxury retreats business Collective Retreats will develop new accommodation offerings. Read More
eu-tech-platforms
News / Online
Can travel platforms find ways to regulate themselves?
By Linda Fox | June 9, 2021
The European Purpose Project - launched by a number of brands including ground transport specialist Bolt - is putting together a code of conduct for platforms. Read More
RVezy drives away with $20M funding from dating app founder
News / Online
RVezy drives away with $20M funding from dating app founder
By Kevin May | June 7, 2021
The latest backing from the entrepreneur is being used to continue RVezy's expansion into the U.S. from its domestic market of Canada. Read More
flixmobility-raises-650-million
News / Online
FlixMobility valued at $3B following $650M funding round
By Jill Menze | June 3, 2021
FlixMobility will use the round to expand its FlixBus offerings in the United States, as well as grow the FlixBus and FlixTrain networks across Europe. Read More
tier-funding-goldman-sachs
News / Startups
Tier raises $60M for e-scooter expansion
By Linda Fox | June 2, 2021
The European micro-mobility company sees the financing as a sign of confidence in the company Read More
netomi-customer-service-opinion
Opinion / Online
Hello? Is anybody there? Travel companies are often ignoring customers
By Can Ozdoruk - Netomi | June 2, 2021
A new report from Netomi finds travel companies are failing to meet the demands of the modern traveler and are at risk of losing revenue and loyalty as a result.  Read More
MakeMyTrip optimistic of domestic recovery in second half of 2021
News / Online
MakeMyTrip optimistic of domestic recovery in second half of 2021
By Linda Fox | May 25, 2021
The company has seen gains from domestic tourism in the third and fourth quarter of its 2021 fiscal year but it expects the impact of the second wave of COVID-19 on its financial results to be greater... Read More
virtuo-96m-funding
News / Startups
European on-demand car service Virtuo raises $96M
By Mitra Sorrells | May 20, 2021
Paris-based Virtuo, a startup positioning itself as an alternative to car ownership, has raised $96 million in a combination of Series C financing and pan-European asset-based financing. Read More
PhocusWire Pulse: Decoding Travel Security
News / Technology
PhocusWire Pulse: Decoding Travel Security
By PhocusWire | May 19, 2021
Our fourth PhocusWire Pulse looks at the current state and future of security in travel, examining issues ranging from biometrics, system breaches, listing fraud and blockchain. Read More
Gojek and Tokopedia merge to create GoTo Group
News / Online
Gojek and Tokopedia merge to create GoTo Group
By Linda Fox | May 18, 2021
The combined Gojek-Tokopedia entity is tagging itself the "go to" ecosystem for daily life. Read More