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Ford Technology

Chariot, the commuter shuttle from Ford, is en route to New York

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By Lisa Lacy, n/a

July 28, 2017 | 4 min read

In a summer not known for its Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) triumphs, Ford Motor Company said it is launching its crowdsourced shuttle service Chariot in New York in August.

Ford's Chariot service for commuters is coming to New York.

Ford's Chariot service for commuters is coming to New York.

Chariot is launching with two pre-planned service areas in Manhattan and Brooklyn at a flat rate of $4 per ride. Chariot also noted options like as WageWorks and commuter checks, which allow riders to use pretax wages to cover commuting costs, are fully compatible with Chariot.

To use Chariot, riders check the app to find routes near them and reserve a seat as they head toward their assigned Chariot. Each Chariot accommodates more than a dozen passengers and guarantees seats for every rider. By the fall, Chariot plans to have 60 vehicles in New York.

Riders will also be able to create additional service areas via crowdsourcing. The Chariot map will display service areas being crowdsourced – giving commuters the chance to choose and contribute to these potential service areas.

“Users can even create a custom route for areas they feel would benefit from Chariot, then share their proposal with friends, family and neighbors who may be taking similar commutes,” Ford said in a press release. “Once enough riders sign up to support and fund a proposed route, as many Chariots as needed will be dispatched to service the area.”

Ford’s global data, insights and analytics team is supplementing Chariot’s planning by identifying routes using advanced optimization algorithms based on commuter demand and behavior, as well as traffic data and existing infrastructure.

New York follows Chariot service in San Francisco and Seattle. It is also coming to Austin, Texas.

In particular, Ford calls out commuters who live in transit deserts, or areas that are not within walking distance of public transportation, as those who will benefit most from Chariot.

“Our mission at Chariot is to provide reliable, safe and affordable transportation for as many people as possible,” said Chariot chief executive Ali Vahabzadeh, in a statement. “We want to connect people more easily to where they want to go – whether they need help making it to a transit hub or live in an area underserved by public transportation.”

Per Ford’s figures, in 2016, average weekday ridership of New York’s Subway was 5.7 million people – the highest since 1948. And while 94% of residential units in Manhattan are within half a mile of a subway stop, only 54% of units in Queens are, according to research by New York University’s Furman Center.

“We know how important it is for everyone to be able to get around effectively – especially in densely populated places like New York,” said Jessica Robinson, director of Ford City Solutions, the Ford division that seeks to tackle urban transportation problems. “Chariot is one way we’re trying to help cities accommodate their residents and ensure people aren’t sacrificing their needs as a result of limited mobility options.”

Chariot also bills itself as a first- and last-mile option to complete commuter routes. In fact, in San Francisco, where Chariot operates 12 commuter service areas, about 20% of riders use it to connect to transit hubs such as Bart and Caltrain, or to ferry terminals, Ford said.

The service can also be used to supplement public transit at peak commuting times, keeping people moving without single-occupancy vehicles. According to a study conducted by KPMG, each Chariot in operation can remove about 10 cars from roads, Ford said.

In addition to commuter service, Chariot is launching enterprise and charter services in New York for companies that want to provide shared commutes for their employees or to book private vehicles for day trips or events.

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