London approved on Monday Ford’s plans to run its Chariot minibus services as the automaker broadens its mobility service created to use growing demand in cities amongst those wanting to make journeys rather than buy vehicles.
Chariot will be able to run its pre-bookable only services in Britain’s capital city for a year on 3 routes and nine months on a 4th route on a trial basis.
Ford is attempting to diversify into other modes of transportation from automobiles offered to customers as new competitors from Alphabet’s Google to Uber shake up the standard vehicle industry.
Major automakers are explore mobility services, partnering with present tech apps or developing their own offerings such as automobile clubs as they look to appeal to young urbanites who have progressively avoided vehicle ownership.
“This service has the potential to provide helpful transport links in the locations they will serve, mostly outdoors main London, and we will thoroughly monitor this trial,” stated a representative at regulator Transport for London (TfL).
The United States automaker currently operates its bus service in U.S. cities such as San Francisco and Seattle, permitting passengers to book seats for journeys usually between transport centers and to and from park and ride facilities for the last mile of a trip.
