Chariot Says ‘Allo, ‘Allo to London in First Expansion Outside US
Ford has announced that Chariot—its shuttle service currently operating in Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; New York; San Francisco; and Seattle—will now be servicing commuters in London. Chariot began running four routes in the city earlier this month, marking the first chapter in a wider European—and international—expansion.
“As well-served as London is by public transport, the daily commute can still be a bit of a slog for some in the city. Chariot is one way of providing residents with reliable, safe, and affordable transportation,” said Sarah Jayne Williams, director, Ford Smart Mobility, Europe.
More Ford Innovation: Ford focusing on sustainability and autonomous vehicle development for the future
Chariot’s four routes in London are intended to bridge gaps between six major transportation hubs in the city: Clapham Junction, North Greenwich, Abbey Wood, Kennington, Vauxhall, and Battersea Park. They are also aimed at helping commuters looking to travel by rail via the Victoria Line, Northern Line, London Overground, and National Rail; by water via Thames River Boat Services; and by Emirates Cable Car.
The four routes currently in service are the Battersea Bullet, Wandsworth Wanderer, Nuxley Navigator, and The Shooters Hill Shot. Each delivers commuters to neighborhoods, destinations, and attractions across London, facilitating travel and helping to minimize congestion.
“Cities globally are dealing with increased congestion and environmental issues,” said Marcy Klevorn, president, Ford Mobility. “Ford is helping to alleviate these challenges by developing mobility solutions—such as Chariot—that are finely tuned to the unique challenges of commuters in different locations, addressing gaps in transport systems and completing their travel with first- and last-mile additions.”
Chariot will run up to six 14-seat passenger shuttles per hour with a total fleet capacity of 14 minibuses. All Chariot shuttles will include amenities ranging from Wi-Fi to overhead storage, and select models will offer wheelchair accessibility. Chariot can be booked via a smartphone app that includes dedicated customer support and real-time shuttle tracking.
Famous Fords: Blue Oval rides have appeared in films ranging from Jurassic Park to The Big Lebowski
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.