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 gets $1B investment boost for autonomous vehicle unit
News / Online
Uber gets $1B investment boost for autonomous vehicle unit
By Kevin May | April 22, 2019
Three organizations are behind the move to back Uber's Advanced Technologies Group: car manufacturing giant Toyota, SoftBank Vision Fund and the Denso Corporation. Read More
Startup Stage Miles
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Miles is a universal transportation rewards program
By Mitra Sorrells | April 3, 2019
Miles is a loyalty platform that automatically rewards consumers for their daily movement, such as walking, biking, riding in a car or traveling by plane. Users can redeem rewards with Miles’ more than... Read More
Google is at a crossroads with its ambitions in travel
News / Online
Google is at a crossroads with its ambitions in travel
By PhocusWire | April 3, 2019
The decisions around Google's strategy in travel will perhaps be made mainly by the company itself, despite the concerns of those that help fund its operations in the industry. Read More
startups-money-piggy-bank
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: There's nothing wrong with being smart about investment cash
By PhocusWire | March 29, 2019
As unprofitable Lyft secures its multi-billion valuation IPO, startups in ground transportation and elsewhere should reflect on what their own strategy does for them. Read More
Why a women-only ride-share app opted for crowdfunding (after kickback from male VCs)
News / Online
Why a women-only ride-share app opted for crowdfunding (after kickback from male VCs)
By Jill Menze | March 29, 2019
Dismissed by male venture capitalists, Australian company Shebah has nearly hit its funding goal of $3 million through crowdfunding. Read More
Q&A: Figuring out a role in a mega-funded world of ground transportation
Interview / Online
Q&A: Figuring out a role in a mega-funded world of ground transportation
By Kevin May | March 28, 2019
The focus tends to go to ground transportation brands that have raised multimillion (even billion level) dollar investment rounds, so how do smaller players compete? Read More
Uber eyes Middle East with $3.1B acquisition of Careem
News / Online
Uber eyes Middle East with $3.1B acquisition of Careem
By Kevin May | March 26, 2019
The purchase price will be split between $1.4 billion in cash and $1.7 billion in convertible notes, Uber said when confirming the acquisition this week. Read More
Mobile technology, customer acquisition among top challenges for ground transit operators
News / Technology
Mobile technology, customer acquisition among top challenges for ground transit operators
By Jill Menze | March 26, 2019
According to a survey from CellPoint Mobile, ground transit operators in the United States are struggling to keep up with consumer demand for a seamless, mobile-first transportation experience. Read More
lufthansa-innovation-hub-rydes
News / Distribution
Lufthansa Innovation Hub offers rewards via RYDES app
By Linda Fox | March 25, 2019
Lufthansa Innovation Hub unveils RYDES mobility application, rewarding consumers for public transport trips as well as intercity services. Read More
Ground innovation, part 4: Getting onboard the rail (r)evolution
News / Distribution
Ground innovation, part 4: Getting onboard the rail (r)evolution
By Linda Fox | March 25, 2019
In the final part of our series on ground transportation, we look at the development of rail technology and distribution. Read More
Sounding Off: The autonomous option may not be the one chosen
Interview / Technology
Sounding Off: The autonomous option may not be the one chosen
By PhocusWire | March 22, 2019
Second-guessing consumer behavior, especially when it comes to the introduction of new technology, is often fraught with problems. Read More
car-rental-evolve-or-die
Opinion / Technology
Rental car companies need to evolve now, or they will die
By Rob Cosentino - Epsilon | March 22, 2019
Similar to other industries, there is a need for evolution by both traditional car rental companies and rideshare services to stay competitive. Read More
Welcome Pickups speeds off with €3.3M to grow "holistic" in-destination service
News / Online
Welcome Pickups speeds off with €3.3M to grow "holistic" in-destination service
By Jill Menze | March 22, 2019
The Athens, Greece-based company will use the funds to build a traveler app and grow its team and partnerships. Read More
The effect of IPOs on transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft
Opinion / Technology
The effect of IPOs on transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft
By Dave Kilduff - Windy City Limousine & Bus Worldwide | March 19, 2019
There's good disruption and bad, and plenty of corporate travel buyers will argue whether the disruption in ground transportation by transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft has been good or... Read More
Ground transportation part 3 autonomous vehicles
News / Technology
Ground innovation, part 3: A driverless future in travel and tourism
By Mitra Sorrells | March 18, 2019
In the third part of our series on ground transportation we consider the impact of autonomous vehicles on the travel industry. Read More