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. 

QOTW: Something about not being immune to competition
News / Distribution
QOTW: Something about not being immune to competition
By PhocusWire | August 3, 2018
Quote from Peter O’Connor, professor at Essec Business School, in an article on PhocusWire this week. Read More
Under-30 traveler survey
News / Online
What under-30 travelers want when researching, booking and experiencing trips
By Mitra Sorrells | August 2, 2018
Younger travelers – those under 30 years old – represented 23% of all international arrivals in 2017, creating a market valued at more than $280 billion.  Read More
Evolution warning: Are hotel owners in danger of becoming the new taxi drivers?
Opinion / Distribution
Evolution warning: Are hotel owners in danger of becoming the new taxi drivers?
By Peter O’Connor - Essec Business School | August 1, 2018
Just as the taxi industry responded to new competition by trying to manipulate governments in their favor, hotel chains are ganging up on travel industry innovators such as Airbnb and online travel... Read More
checkmybus-seriesa-funding
News / Distribution
CheckMyBus stops for £1.4M in Series A funding
July 31, 2018
CheckMyBus, the long-distance bus metasearch platform, brings in £1.4 million in Series A funding. Read More
GM expands Maven car sharing
News / Online
GM adds peer-to-peer car sharing to Maven platform
By Mitra Sorrells | July 24, 2018
General Motors is expanding its Maven mobility service to include privately owned and leased vehicles.  Read More
Most voice assistants "unskilled" for travel planning and booking
News / Technology
Most voice assistants "unskilled" for travel planning and booking
By Michael Coletta | July 20, 2018
For all the skills in Amazon's Alexa voice marketplace (30,000 and counting), the majority can still be described as "unskilled" for travel planning and booking tasks. The same can be said for Google... Read More
expedia package bookings
News / Distribution
Package bookings drive higher ADR, have longer booking windows
By Jill Menze | July 18, 2018
Analyzing data on package bookings vs. standalone hotel bookings, Expedia Group found that for full year 2017, package bookings delivered higher average daily rates and had longer booking windows,... Read More
Startup Stage TransferTravel generic
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: TransferTravel.com wants to be the "eBay" of travel
By Mitra Sorrells | July 18, 2018
TransferTravel.com is a peer-to-peer marketplace designed to help people sell their unwanted tickets and reservations to travelers looking for bargains.  Read More
In The Big Chair - Jane Sun of Ctrip
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Jane Sun of Ctrip
By Jill Menze | July 17, 2018
Jane Sun joined Ctrip in 2005 and took the reins as CEO in 2016. As Ctrip grows globally, Sun sees opportunities in tours and activities for Chinese travelers and hopes to see international business... Read More
Booking Holdings invests $500M in Didi ground transport platform
News / Online
Booking Holdings invests $500M in Didi ground transport platform
July 17, 2018
Didi Chuxing has caught the eye of Booking Holdings, with a $500 million capital injection and a major strategic partnership. Read More
Seatfrog grabs $6 million round to bolster upgrade bidding app
News / Online
Seatfrog grabs $6 million round to bolster upgrade bidding app
By Kevin May | July 12, 2018
Rail and air upgrade platform Seatfrog has secured a Series A investment to the tune of $6 million. Read More
CMAC Group buys taxi platform Cabfind
News / Online
CMAC Group buys taxi platform Cabfind
By Linda Fox | July 11, 2018
B2B taxi company Cabfind has been acquired by CMAC Group, a ground transport specialist. Read More
VIDEO: Travel supremacy - Asian Tigers versus Global Elephants
News / Online
VIDEO: Travel supremacy - Asian Tigers versus Global Elephants
By PhocusWire | July 5, 2018
For many years it was expected, inevitably in a rather arrogant fashion, that western travel brands would simply expand their power to other corners of the globe. Read More
Lyft moves into bike-sharing with Motivate acquisition
News / Online
Lyft moves into bike-sharing with Motivate acquisition
By Kevin May | July 3, 2018
Lyft claims it is on a path to "revolutionize urban transportation" with an agreement to acquire the technology and corporate functions of bike-sharing brand Motivate. Read More
safr startup stage
Interview / Technology
STARTUP STAGE: Safr wants to make ride-sharing safe for women
By Jill Menze | July 3, 2018
Accusations of assault and discrimination have trailed leading ride-share companies for some time now, and women-focused startup Safr is aiming to change the experience for riders and drivers alike. Read More