Citymapper shuts down smart e-bus London service

Urban transport app Citymapper are shutting down their smart e-bus service in London next month. In a statement made on Medium, a Citymapper spokesperson lists a number of reasons for shutting down the service. The last day of operation will be 14 July.

The firm said they had originally wanted to “reinvent the bus, but due to regulatory constraints ended up running shared cabs”. They also highlighted that “regulations are challenging, unclear and getting harder.”

A spokesperson added: “We have learned a lot from all of our efforts here, and have so much to say that we think it’s best we leave this to a dedicated future post. “We’re sad and sorry that we have not been able to do more, but are glad to help and advise others.” Citymapper have followed Ford’s lead who shut down their Chariot minivan service in the UK just one year after launching. London was Chariot’s first international venture outside of the United States, where it had already operated in cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Austin and New York. The service in the UK closed on 25 January and wound down across the world before finally closing the Transit van doors completely in early March. Other companies are however investing in similar smart bus services despite others shutting down. They include ViaVan and Go-Ahead who have teamed up with regulators Transport for London in further trials. 

Image: Citymapper