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. 

Voi Technology E-Scooters $85m Funding
News / Technology
Voi Technology raises $85M to expand e-scooter services in Europe
By Steven Lerner | November 12, 2019
This latest funding, a Series B round, brings the company’s current funding total to $137.9 million.   Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2019 preview - A future not fully understood
News / Technology
The Phocuswright Conference 2019 preview - A future not fully understood
By PhocusWire | November 8, 2019
Will the brands that dominate now still be there in a future still yet to be fully defined? Yes and no. That's why the next era for the digital travel economy promises to be such a thrilling ride... Read More
Booking Holdings survives SEO headwinds, reports financial growth
News / Online
Booking Holdings survives SEO headwinds, reports financial growth
By Steven Lerner | November 8, 2019
Gross bookings increased 4% year-over-year to $25.3 billion, while net income soared 10% to $2 billion.   Read More
Despegar reports growth in bookings and revenue, optimism from recent partner agreements
News / Distribution
Despegar reports growth in bookings and revenue, optimism from recent partner agreements
By Mitra Sorrells | November 7, 2019
Argentina-based Despegar reports gross bookings up 26% and revenue up 19% in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period a year earlier.    Read More
Uber Q3 2019 earnings
News / Technology
Uber narrows losses in Q3, pledges profitability by 2021 and "magical company" aim
By Steven Lerner | November 5, 2019
The San Francisco-based rideshare company saw its revenue increase 30% year-over-year to $3.8 billion. Read More
MakeMyTrip reports $181M in quarterly revenue, touts growing customer base
News / Distribution
MakeMyTrip reports $181M in quarterly revenue, touts growing customer base
By Steven Lerner | November 4, 2019
The India-based online travel agency saw gross bookings grow 20.6% year-over-year to $1.5 billion, at the same time as cutting marketing expenses by 10.5% to $40.1 million. Read More
insuretech-travel-cover-genius-1
From Our Partners / Technology
Insurtech innovation can digitally transform the travel sector
By Patrick Young - Cover Genius | November 4, 2019
Digital transformation has the potential to radically reshape the world around us, from healthcare and government to banking and retail. But nowhere is the opportunity greater than in the travel sector. Read More
Omio acquires fellow multi-modal platform Rome2rio
News / Online
Omio acquires fellow multi-modal platform Rome2rio
By Kevin May | October 31, 2019
Rome2rio had previously raised a modest $3.1 million in funding - a tiny amount compared to the larger Omio with its $300 million over the course of a number of rounds. Read More
Lyft earnings q3 2019
News / Technology
Lyft reports uptick in revenue to $956M, keeps losing money in Q3 2019
By Steven Lerner | October 30, 2019
Despite the current losses, the company anticipates reaching profitability in terms of adjusted EBITDA by the fourth quarter of 2021.   Read More
Booking.com app integrates ride-hailing services via Grab
News / Distribution
Booking.com app integrates ride-hailing services via Grab
By Marissa Trew - WiT | October 29, 2019
Booking.com and Grab are extending their partnership with the addition of Grab's ride-hailing service into the OTA's mobile app. Read More
Why zero‐friction is the future of the travel industry
From Our Partners / Online
Why zero‐friction is the future of the travel industry
By Facebook Business | October 24, 2019
The modern traveler expects nothing less than a frictionless experience and the travel companies that deliver this have the best chance of thriving in the future. Read More
The search for genuine "disruption" in the travel industry
Opinion / Startups
The search for genuine "disruption" in the travel industry
By Peter Matthews - Nucleus | October 24, 2019
Now traditional business models have been turned on their heads by the likes of Uber, Airbnb, Amazon and Google there is a tendency for many brands to believe they need to roll up their sleeves and face... Read More
Agoda CEO on moving beyond accommodation and forging unorthodox partnerships
News / Online
Agoda CEO on moving beyond accommodation and forging unorthodox partnerships
By Corinne Wan - WebInTravel | October 21, 2019
The OTA says it is focusing on finding the “best inventory” for its customers, operating with the “best tech” and fending off the intense competition in Asia armed with the “best weapons." Read More
Kayak, Wanderu expand transportation offerings through new partnership
News / Distribution
Kayak, Wanderu expand transportation offerings through new partnership
By Jill Menze | October 16, 2019
The partnership will give consumers access to bus, train and flight options across both platforms. Read More
SME-travel-startups-thomas-cook
Opinion / Technology
Thomas Cook - Tech lessons for small travel businesses from the fall of a giant
By George Dumitru - WBE.travel | October 15, 2019
The reasons for Thomas Cook’s collapse will become clearer over time, but for now here are some of its issues which should provide SMEs with some talking points for the boardroom and water cooler alike. Read More
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