Ford Motor buys into commuter shuttle business

Ford Motor Company is buying San Francisco-based commuter shuttle company Chariot, and partnering with Motivate to grow the number of bikes in the Bay Area. SAN FRANCISCO – Ford Motor Company is buying into the commuter shuttle business, part of an on-going pivot designed to preserve profitability in a world with reduced car ownership. Flanked by the mayors of three Bay Area cities, Ford CEO Mark Fields announced Friday that the Detroit automaker was acquiring startup Chariot for an undisclosed sum. Riders summon Chariot's Ford Transit vans via an app, which helps drivers prioritize busy routes and avoid less traveled ones. The so-called dynamic shuttle service aims to be more efficient than public transportation and less expensive than ride-hailing.