Local Transit

London Tests Running Double Decker Buses Partly on Coffee Grounds

Anna Hirtenstein, Bloomberg

Centuries ago, London was the first European city to embrace cafe culture. Now it hopes to be the first to put coffee grounds to use as biofuel mixed with diesel to power its iconic buses. We admire how the innovation keeps percolating.

Trump Plan to Improve U.S. Infrastructure Is Going Nowhere for Now

Andrew Sheivachman, Skift

A plan to invest in U.S. infrastructure was supposed to be a slam dunk for the Trump administration. Yet even with an experienced political operator such as the Secretary of Transportation, it's now unclear whether any robust plan will ever come to fruition.

Airport-Style Body Scanners Tested in Los Angeles Subway System

Michael Balsamo, Associated Press

Officials in Los Angeles say the machines can scan about 600 people per hour in a bid to detect mass casualty threats. It seems like a great move if the system is effective.

Uber’s Next CEO Could Be GE’s Last CEO

Eric Newcomer, Bloomberg

We think Uber needs leadership and wisdom, but it also needs leadership that isn’t happy with the status quo. And “CEO of GE” is as status quo as we can think of when it comes to business.

Lux Bus Startup Hopes Design and Flat Beds Will Make Overnight Trips Appealing

Colin Nagy, Skift

Cabin seeks to bring style and a "moving hotel" approach to the overnight bus journey. They've nailed the design and approach, but will Californians choose it over flying?

London Heathrow Express Train to Downtown is Getting Competition

Christopher Jasper, Bloomberg

Heathrow Express is a good option for travelers willing to pay a premium for a speedy trip into central London. But this new option, called Crossrail, might be a better product for many passengers. It'll take a little longer, but it's expected to have more stations and cost much less.

CarTrawler Finds Itself for Sale Again

Patrick Whyte, Skift

Business-to-business travel companies might not be as attractive as their business-to-consumer siblings but they can still command a hefty price tag. CarTrawler is one of Ireland's best-known travel tech companies, and a new owner would likely look to push the company into new areas.

New York Launches Ferry Service to Better Connect the Boroughs

Associated Press

This new ferry service could end up helping tourists as much as locals. Not only can it relieve some pressure on overcrowded trains and buses, but tourists love views of the city and everyone wants a more pleasant trip to Rockaway Beach in Queens in the summer.

St. Petersburg Subway Explosion Kills at Least 10, Shuts Down Entire System

Henry Meyer, Reuters

Bike-Sharing Startup in China Builds $1 Billion Business Out of 15-Cent Rides

Lulu Yilun Chen , Bloomberg

As Uber's Travis Kalanick or airlines know, companies often have to race to the bottom on pricing in order to eliminate the competition. Bike-sharing companies in China are playing the same game.

iCars Buys Limos.com in Crowded Corporate Travel Ground Transport Market

Sean O'Neill, Skift

The iCars merger with Limos.com could make the combined company a viable competitor against Blacklane and GroundLink, leaders in private car aggregation for corporate travelers. But all the companies need to step up their games.

Gondolas Seen as Transit Solution for World’s Crowded Cities

Mary Esch, Associated Press

Besides being great tourist attractions cable cars and gondolas also help connect outlying neighborhoods to central business districts and have demonstrated the high degree of revitalization that is possible in cities.