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. 

Booking.com ODX blockchain internet marketplace
News / Technology
Booking.com will give data to consumers in emerging markets to access its site
By Mitra Sorrells | September 20, 2018
Booking.com has signed on to try a new blockchain-based data marketplace aimed at helping brands connect with users in emerging markets.   Read More
Trainline voice app Twitter alerts
News / Technology
Trainline's voice app uses Twitter data to communicate rail disruptions
By Mitra Sorrells | September 13, 2018
Train operators are the first to know about service disruptions, and now independent ticket retailer Trainline is tapping into that knowledge to keep commuters better informed.   Read More
Offline part 2 agency technology
News / Technology
Back in the offline world, part 2: Travel agency technology
By Mitra Sorrells | September 10, 2018
For part two in this month’s series on the offline travel market, we look at the technology that is supporting the work of traditional agents and how it has evolved over the years.   Read More
Ride-hailing companies Lyft, Taxify launch e-scooter rental
News / Distribution
Ride-hailing companies Lyft, Taxify launch e-scooter rental
By Mitra Sorrells | September 6, 2018
Two of the worlds largest on-demand transportation companies are getting into the e-scooter business.   Read More
Toyota invests $500M in Uber as part of deal to develop driverless cars
News / Online
Toyota invests $500M in Uber as part of deal to develop driverless cars
By Mitra Sorrells | August 28, 2018
Toyota and Uber will work together to develop self-driving cars, and the agreement comes with a $500 million investment in Uber by the Japanese automaker. Read More
ota hotel profitability
Opinion / Online
Online travel agency moves harming profitability: What hotels need to know
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | August 24, 2018
Two recent events in hotel distribution created a mild media buzz, but unfortunately were ignored by some hoteliers and quickly forgotten by the industry: Expedia’s Add‐On Advantage and Booking.Basic. Read More
Getaround 300M funding series D
News / Startups
Car-share service Getaround nails $300M funding round
By Mitra Sorrells | August 21, 2018
Getaround, a platform that provides instant and keyless carsharing, has secured $300 million in a Series D financing round led by SoftBank, with participation from Toyota Motor Corporation.   Read More
How an autonomous vehicle startup unicorn took a wrong turn
Notated News / Technology
How an autonomous vehicle startup unicorn took a wrong turn
By Joshua Brustein and Mark Bergen - Bloomberg | August 15, 2018
Quanergy Systems found itself in the center of a sudden frenzy over self-driving cars in 2014. It makes lidar, which bounces lasers off objects to help autonomous cars know what’s nearby. Read More
GBTA exhibitor news
News / Technology
Egencia, Yapta, Traxo and more product news from GBTA
By Mitra Sorrells | August 15, 2018
The Global Business Travel Association’s annual convention wraps up today at the San Diego Convention Center.  Read More
Startup bad boys somehow always make a return
Notated News / Startups
Startup bad boys somehow always make a return
By Erin Griffith - Wired | August 13, 2018
Travis Kalanick, Uber's founder and former CEO, wasn’t gone very long - just over a year, in fact. Read More
Blacklane launches security-bypass services at 500 airports
News / Startups
Blacklane launches security-bypass services at 500 airports
By Mitra Sorrells | August 12, 2018
Private car service Blacklane is expanding its offerings in a new direction with the launch of Blacklane PASS, which stands for Premium Airport Services and Solutions.   Read More
The most influential names in travel are coming - will you be there?
News / Technology
The most influential names in travel are coming - will you be there?
By PhocusWire | August 9, 2018
Join nearly 2,000 decision makers and C-level executives from global travel, tourism and hospitality companies at this year’s Phocuswright Conference, Nov. 13 to 15 in Los Angeles. Register now to save... Read More
booking holdings q2 earnings
News / Online
Booking Holdings closely monitoring paid channels as it builds direct strategy
By Linda Fox | August 9, 2018
Following the release of its Q2 financials, Booking Holdings says it's continuing its strategy of building its direct business as well as a wider travel offering. Read More
booking-holdings-ground-transport-hub
News / Distribution
Booking Holdings establishing hub in Manchester to grow ground transport division
By Linda Fox | August 8, 2018
As part of its experiences push, Booking Holdings is setting up a hub in Manchester, U.K., for its ground transportation division. Read More
didi auto services
Notated News / Online
Didi funnels $1B into its auto services business
By Jon Russell - TechCrunch | August 7, 2018
In just five years, Didi Chuxing has attracted $20.6 billion in funding - including a $500 million injection from Booking Holdings last month. As the Chinese ride-hail app gauges its next move,... Read More