Citymapper’s Fresh Take on Treating London’s Traffic
Imagine a ride that straddles the line between a taxi and a bus— Citymapper’s new Smart Ride does just that. After earning the thumbs‑up of Transport for London and rocking a private‑hire licence, the company is rolling out an on‑demand carpooling service to battle congestion and cut carbon.
“Shared‑First, Because Bus Regulations Are Just Too Tedious.”
Omid Ashtari, the mastermind steering Citymapper’s business frontier, told the Guardian that shared transport is the future. He added, “We’re all about popping the traffic jam bubble and getting greener roads. It feels like a twist on the bus lobby act—set the game up to our benefit.”
The Launch Details
Smart Rides will pilot a seven‑day free trial for anyone curious. To hop in:
- Open the Citymapper app.
- Tap the “Secret” icon on the home screen.
- Navigate your way to the nearest Smart Ride.
- Press “Book & Go” and wham‑bam, you’re in.
Why It Stands Out
Unlike the typical taxi or dedicated bus, Smart Rides pivot around a shared-first model. It’s the only service in London doing so—and the city feels addicted to the idea of shared journeys.
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