Skip to main content

Ford’s decision to bin Chariot ride-share service came after ‘significant consideration’

Ford has given no explanation for the decision to abandon its ride-sharing shuttle service Chariot, but said it came after “significant consideration”. The service will stop operating on UK shuttle commuter routes tomorrow – after just a few months - and on US routes after 1 February. All Chariot services will cease completely by the end of March. A statement from the company gave little clue as to why: “In today’s mobility landscape, the wants and needs of customers and cities are changing rapidly. We a
January 24, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

278 Ford has given no explanation for the decision to abandon its ride-sharing %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external shuttle false http://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/chariot-shuttle-service-to-help-london-companies-cut-commutes/ false false%> service Chariot, but said it came after “significant consideration”.

The service will stop operating on UK shuttle commuter routes tomorrow – after just a few months - and on US routes after 1 February.

All Chariot services will cease completely by the end of March.

A statement from the company gave little clue as to why: “In today’s mobility landscape, the wants and needs of customers and cities are changing rapidly. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause Chariot’s riders and our enterprise customers.”

Parent group Ford has been under pressure worldwide this year, posting significant losses outside of its heartland in North America.

The motor manufacturer recently announced thousands of job losses in Europe and said that it is worried about the effects of a so-called ‘hard Brexit’ if and when the UK leaves the 1816 European Union.

Chariot says it is committed to ensuring its customers are aware of the decision and have time to make alternative transportation arrangements, and promises to refund all remaining commuter credit balances.

UTC

Related Content

  • September 19, 2019
    Lyft ramps up driver and passenger safety efforts
    Ride-share firm Lyft is seeking to head off concerns over passenger safety by requiring its drivers to take a ‘community safety’ course. Lyft has partnered with non-profit anti-sexual assault organisation Rainn, and drivers will be required to complete an education course designed by both parties. Riders and drivers must agree to Lyft’s community guidelines on behaving with care and respect. Passengers reported for violating these will be removed from the platform while drivers will be required to take add
  • December 4, 2018
    Quantum XYZ intends to launch air taxi service in Los Angeles
    Quantum XYZ is seeking to use SureFly’s eight-rotor hybrid ‘octocopters’ to launch an air taxi service in Los Angeles. SureFly, a subsidiary of US technology company Workhorse, is currently pursuing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Quantum intends to submit an application to become a FAA-certified urban VTOL air carrier. The company’s president, Tony Thompson, says: “Once SureFly receives FAA Type certification, we
  • November 16, 2018
    OCTA launches on-demand microtransit service
    The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has launched an on-demand microtransit programme to help better match public transit services with how commuters want to travel. The one-year pilot, called OC Flex, will allow riders to take an eight-person shuttle between two zones – one in Huntington Beach and the northern city of Westminster and the other in three cities: Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. Lisa Bartlett, OCTA chairwoman, says: "We hope that this innovative alternative will h
  • September 28, 2018
    Shohoz receives $15m fund to expand ride-sharing in Bangladesh
    Ride-sharing company Shohoz will use a $15m investment from venture capital firm Golden Gates Ventures to expand its on-demand service in Bangladesh. A report by the Dhaka Tribune says the company is now launching its ‘super-app’ strategy which will add food deliveries to its current offering. Maliha M Quadir, Shohoz founder and managing director, says: “To help Shohoz finance this growth, we have brought on board a great line-up of experienced international and regional investors, who I think will help