Today's Transportation Pulse
Uber expands robotaxi rollout to Houston, targeting mid‑2027 launch
Uber, Nuro and Lucid have chosen Houston as the second city for their robotaxi service after the San Francisco Bay Area debut later this year. The fleet will consist of Lucid Gravity electric SUVs equipped with Nuro’s Level‑4 autonomous driving platform and will be accessed via the Uber app. Uber has secured a 50,000‑square‑foot depot in Houston for charging and maintenance.
Also developing:
By the numbers: US IDFC partners with Chubb on $20B maritime reinsurance plan
More Bad Flight News/Little-Known Search Hacks/City Bike Tours
The EU has issued a warning that jet‑fuel supplies could run dry before summer, forcing airlines to cancel flights and driving up ticket prices. Travelers are urged to book immediately, pay with credit cards for protection, and secure travel insurance to cover delays and cancellations. Health experts continue to recommend compression socks on long‑haul flights to prevent deep‑vein thrombosis. The post also highlights lesser‑known Google search tricks for faster flight status checks and promotes city bike tours as a more efficient way to explore sprawling urban destinations.
MAN Teams up with Adastec to Launch Automated Lion’s City E Pilot in Munich
MAN Truck & Bus has equipped a Lion’s City 12 E electric bus with Adastec’s Level 4 automated‑driving system, marking a shift from its earlier Mobileye partnership. The bus features a comprehensive sensor suite—five LiDARs, six radars, eight cameras and GNSS—and is undergoing on‑site...
European Car Sales Rise in March Thanks to EV Surge
JUST IN: European car sales rose in March, boosted by surging EV demand that offset drops in combustion engine vehicles.
Peugeot Updates Plug-In Hybrid Power Ratings Ahead of Euro 7 Rollout
Peugeot is revising the certified power outputs of its plug‑in hybrid models ahead of the Euro 7 emissions regime, using the new GTR21 homologation protocol. The 3008 and 5008 hybrids are now listed at 225 hp (166 kW) and the 408 at 240 hp...
DHL Achieves 10% SAF Blending Ratio in 2025
DHL reported that its own aircraft reached a 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending ratio in 2025, the highest level in years. The German logistics firm aims to lift SAF usage to 30% of its air transport fuel by 2030....
Wärtsilä, Erik Thun Agree Overhaul Partnership for Fleet Support
Wärtsilä has signed a long‑term overhaul agreement with Sweden’s Erik Thun Group, covering maintenance, field services, workshop support and spare‑parts supply for the operator’s 50‑vessel fleet. The deal, developed with MF Shipping Group, targets engines, propulsion systems and shaft line...
Netherlands Boasts Extensive Heavy‑duty EV Charging Network
Does The Netherlands really have such a big network for heavy duty charging already?!⚡️⚡️⚡️ #NAL #alwaysbecharging 🚛 https://t.co/f1w2sfkWht
Supply Chain Failures Cripple Entire Business Operations
Operational disruptions went far beyond distribution centers. End-to-end business processes broke down, impacting everything from order processing and inventory to financials and customer trust. #SupplyChain #BusinessDisruption https://t.co/1cNwGbmWDX
CharterSync Tackles Charter Pricing Visibility Challenge
CharterSync has upgraded its digital pricing platform with an enhanced quote format that displays all ancillary costs, giving freight forwarders a transparent view of charter aircraft pricing. The new layout simplifies comparisons and reduces back‑and‑forth negotiations. The upgrade follows a...
Russia's Fuel Oil Exports to Saudi Arabia Surge 18%
MOSCOW, April 23 (Reuters) - Russia's seaborne exports of fuel oil and vacuum gasoil (VGO) to Saudi Arabia jumped 18% in March from February to 1 million metric tons as soaring oil prices driven by the Iran war reshaped flows,...
Custom vs Standard Shipping Boxes: What’s Better for Your Business?
Choosing between custom and standard shipping boxes hinges on cost, branding, and operational needs. Standard boxes are mass‑produced, low‑cost, and quick to restock, making them ideal for high‑volume, price‑sensitive shipments. Custom boxes, while pricier and slower to source, offer precise...
GAC INTERNATIONAL and ALLUR Group Sign KD Production Industrial Cooperation Agreement to Advance Localized Production and Deepen Strategic Presence in...
GAC International and Kazakhstan’s Allur Group signed a KD production industrial cooperation agreement in Guangzhou, establishing a localized assembly line for GAC’s full model range in Kazakhstan. The partnership positions Kazakhstan as a strategic hub for GAC’s expansion across the...
NHTSA Unveils Sweeping Traffic Safety Initiative for the US
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration unveiled the Pathways to Safer Streets (P2SS) plan, targeting impairment, speeding, distraction and seat‑belt non‑use—the four leading causes of traffic deaths. The initiative restores law‑enforcement grants, expands data‑driven enforcement, and introduces new technology...
Middle Eastern Countries Working on Direct Railway Connection to Europe
Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are coordinating a feasibility study for a new railway that would link the Gulf region directly to Europe. The study is slated for completion by the end of 2026, with construction potentially lasting four...
Transforming Transport Needs Density and Infrastructure: Part 1, Density
The Transforming Transport Summit highlighted a shift toward people‑centric, dense cities as essential for Australia’s sustainable future. Perth’s sprawling, low‑density growth is inflating transport costs, infrastructure spending, and household budgets, while neighboring metros are embracing mid‑rise, transit‑oriented development. Emerging leaders...
Free Lecture Explores Helicopter Frontiers in Extreme Environments
Free #aviation lecture, RAeS HQ, 28 April, Alan Bristow Named Lecture 2026 - 'Working in the Extremes - Expanding the frontiers of helicopter aviation' #avgeek #helicopters https://t.co/R0KPaPa9lU https://t.co/ER0aYh2HzL
HighTec Supports Development of Novelic’s Radar-Based In-Cabin Monitoring Solution
HighTec EDV‑Systeme is providing its development platform to support Novelic’s automotive cabin advanced monitoring (ACAM) solution, a radar‑based system that detects occupants, including children, inside the vehicle. The technology helps manufacturers comply with Euro NCAP’s child presence detection standards and...
Farewell, Funky Cat: Ora 03 Exits UK as GWM Plots Big Revamp
Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) is withdrawing its Ora 03 electric hatchback, formerly the Funky Cat, from UK showrooms after four years of weak sales. UK deliveries fell to just 542 units in 2023 and only 26 registrations in...
Why Diesel Has Become a Much Bigger Economic Problem Than Gasoline
The U.S.–Israeli war with Iran has sharply limited diesel supplies, pushing the fuel’s price up about 45 percent since late February—well ahead of gasoline’s 35 percent rise. The Energy Information Administration expects diesel to exceed $5.80 per gallon, while gasoline hovers near...
Xi Wants the Strait of Hormuz Reopened; Cakes and An E-Commerce Crackdown; The Next Stage of Decoupling; The MATCH Act...
In this episode of Sharp China, Andrew Sharp and Bill Bishop dissect a recent call between Xi Jinping and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on China's call for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open amid ongoing Iranian...
China’s Premium EVs Mount Tech-Powered Challenge to BMW, Mercedes-Benz at Expo
Auto China, the world’s largest auto show, opened in Beijing with 1,451 models spread across 380,000 square metres. Chinese premium electric‑vehicle makers used the 10‑day exhibition to unveil dozens of high‑tech models aimed at the luxury segment. The rollout directly...
New Irish Rail IT System Is ‘a Slowly Developing Shambles’, Says Dáil Committee Chairman
Ireland’s Dáil Public Accounts Committee warned that Indra Group’s €200 million‑plus (≈$215 million) next‑generation contactless ticketing programme is at risk after the contractor’s train traffic‑management system ran into severe delays and cost overruns. Over €31 million (≈$33 million) has already been spent on the...
Uber Riders Complain They Were Charged More for Paying with Amex Cards—One Viral Video Shows a $13 Difference
Riders are alleging that Uber fares jump when they select American Express cards, Uber Cash, gift‑card balances, or Uber One memberships. A viral video from Atlanta showed a ride costing $33.05 with an Amex card versus $20.33 with a Visa, a...
Kenya’s BuuPass Enters Corporate Travel Market with New Booking Product
Kenyan mobility startup BuuPass has launched Gavanpass, a corporate travel platform aimed at digitising Africa’s largely manual enterprise travel segment. The service is already used by more than 20 Kenyan firms, spanning banks, fintechs, insurers and manufacturers. BuuPass leverages its...
Duisport Closes “a Very Successful” 2025
Germany’s Duisport, the world’s largest inland terminal, posted strong financial and operational growth in 2025. Revenue climbed 9.6% to €390.5 million (≈$426 million) and TEU throughput rose 5.1% to 5.1 million containers, while total cargo volume held steady at 50.8 million tons. EBIT and...
Aeroporti Di Roma Deploys Outsight’s Physical AI Solution at Scale Across Fiumicino Airport
Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) is scaling its partnership with Outsight by deploying the provider’s Physical AI and 3D LiDAR solution across all Schengen common‑use areas at Rome Fiumicino Airport. The technology delivers real‑time spatial intelligence on passenger flows, queue formation...
UNIFE Supports the Rollout of ERTMS Through the Adoption of Measures
UNIFE’s Director General Enno Wiebe urged EU rail stakeholders to adopt concrete measures that simplify authorisation, harmonise technical requirements and accelerate the phase‑out of legacy systems, aiming to unblock the rollout of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). The call...
War Turns Sulphur Market Toxic in Acid Supply Shock
Global seaborne sulphur shipments plunged in March 2026, falling 31% month‑on‑month to 1.5 million tonnes, the sharpest decline in a decade after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed. The Gulf, which supplies over half of the world’s sulphur, saw exports...
SITA Launches Campus Network to Keep Airport Operations Connected
SITA announced the Campus Network, a fully managed LAN/WLAN service for airports and transport hubs, powered by HPE Aruba Networking. The solution covers over 150 countries, handling design, installation, and support to reduce complexity and cost for airline IT teams....
Explainer-Hormuz Crisis Throws Spotlight on World's Largest 'Chokepoint' - the Malacca Strait
The Hormuz shutdown has sharpened focus on the Strait of Malacca, the world’s busiest maritime chokepoint, handling roughly 22% of global trade and 29% of oil flows in 2025—more than the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic rose to over 102,500 vessels...
Amazon Opens First Distribution Center in Spain, Investing €100 Million in Zaragoza
Amazon is opening ZAZ8, its first dedicated distribution center in Spain, investing roughly €100 million ($108 million) in La Muela, Zaragoza. The 30,000‑square‑meter hub will serve as a regional inventory buffer for high‑velocity essentials and is slated to start operations in September 2026,...
New TPE Timetable to Include All Night Services to Manchester Airport
TransPennine Express (TPE) is launching a new timetable that adds eight hourly all‑night services between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, providing 24‑hour rail connectivity. The schedule also introduces a Dewsbury stop on the 08:05 Leeds‑Manchester service to aid students and...
Telematics Solutions Help Businesses See Waste, Cut Costs, and Run Smarter
Telematics has evolved from basic GPS tracking into a real‑time operating layer that delivers visibility into location, driver behavior, fuel use, maintenance needs, compliance and service proof. A 2024 Teletrac Navman survey shows 98% of fleets now use telematics, with...
Hyundai Recall: 300,000 Vehicles' Seatbelts Could Cause Injuries
Hyundai is recalling 294,128 U.S. Hyundai and Genesis vehicles due to a front seatbelt anchor defect that can compromise restraint in a crash, even though the belt appears normal in daily use. The recall, filed as NHTSA 26V218, primarily targets...
Incoming Alstom CEO Warns of Further Fallout From Delayed Projects as Shares Fall
Alstom reported record €27.6bn (≈$30bn) order intake and a €100bn (≈$110bn) backlog, but free cash flow slumped to €330m (≈$363m), far below the €1.5bn (≈$1.65bn) target it had set. Adjusted EBIT margin fell to about 6%, and the company’s shares...
Congo Start-Up Brazza Airlines Wet Leases E145, E190
Brazza Airlines, a Congolese subsidiary of French carrier Thalair, has begun operations between Brazzaville and Pointe Noire using two Embraer jets wet‑leased from Regourd Aviation. The 13.6‑year‑old E190, configured with 98 seats across three classes, arrived on 18 April, while the 17.7‑year‑old...
Rise of the ‘Ghost Owner’: 18,000 UK Vehicles in Use without Proper Records
A Freedom of Information request revealed that 18,260 UK vehicles are listed under the DVLA’s own address, meaning their owners’ locations are unknown. Labour MP Sarah Coombes warns this "ghost owner" problem enables speeding, hit‑and‑runs and other crimes to go...
PolRegio Is Counting on CPK Trains for the Warsaw–Łódź Route
PolRegio has deepened its partnership with Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) to launch passenger services on the new high‑speed rail line linking Warsaw, the upcoming CPK airport, and Łódź, with extensions to Wrocław and Poznań. The collaboration includes access to up...
United Cargo, Airlink Inc. And Good 360 Deliver Urgent Aid to Hawaii
United Cargo, Airlink Inc., and nonprofit Good360 teamed up to deliver emergency relief to Hawaii after the Kona Low storms devastated Maui and Oahu. A United Airlines Boeing 787 departed Chicago on April 10 carrying generators, baby wipes and other...
Amazon India to Invest Rs 2,800 Cr to Boost Logistics, Quick Commerce Push
Amazon India announced a Rs 2,800 crore (~$300 million) investment to upgrade its logistics network and accelerate its quick‑commerce vertical, Amazon Now. The funding will double Amazon Now’s footprint, add new micro‑fulfilment centres and expand warehouses and last‑mile stations nationwide. Part of a...
What Would a Permanent ‘Tehran’s Tollbooth’ on Oil Mean for the World?
Iran’s peace plan proposes a $2 million toll per tanker—about $1 per barrel—for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The charge would add roughly $7 billion a year to global oil costs and could keep Brent crude near $100 per barrel through...
New Supersport 400 Revealed as Morgan's Most Powerful Car Yet
Morgan has unveiled the Supersport 400, its most powerful model yet, featuring a BMW‑sourced 3.0‑litre straight‑six tuned to 402 bhp. The power boost trims the 0‑62 mph sprint to 3.6 seconds, making it half a second quicker than the standard Supersport. Pricing starts...
Russian Federal Passenger Company Signs USD 5 Billion Contract
Russia's Federal Passenger Company (FPC) has inked a $5.1 bn agreement with Tver Carriage Works (TVZ) to supply 2,700 passenger railcars by 2030, including 449 single‑deck coaches. TVZ will deliver 480 cars in 2026, leveraging recent plant upgrades. The contract deepens...
Hanoi Scales Back Planned Gas-Powered Bike Ban
Vietnam’s capital Hanoi is dialing back plans for a sweeping ban on gasoline-powered motorbikes https://t.co/Jw9PHhPPaw
Escaping the Strait of Hormuz – Not Worth the Risk
The US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has left roughly 1,000 vessels and 20,000 seafarers trapped in the Arabian Gulf as Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz closed. A brief window of openness on 17 April prompted a rush of transits, but within 24 hours Indian‑registered...
Iran Releases Footage of Seized Container Ships in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released video showing the IRGC Navy seizing two civilian container vessels, the Liberia‑flagged EPAMINONDAS and the MSC Francesca, in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22. The ships were immobilised earlier that day before Iranian...
What We Did in the Shadows: DB Cargo’s Bright Idea
DB Cargo UK has installed LED track‑side lighting at 17 freight yards, a project funded by Network Rail’s Freight Safety Improvement Programme. The lights, first trialled for three months at Margam Knuckle Yard, improve roll‑by examinations by illuminating the underside...
MacGregor Equipment Ordered for Ultra-Large Türkiye-Built CLVs
MacGregor secured a contract to supply offshore and merchant deck machinery, including high‑performance winches, for ultra‑large cable‑laying vessels being built at Turkey’s Tersan Shipyard. The order, booked in Q1 2026, targets delivery in 2027. The vessels are part of LS Marine...
Investors Bet €3.2M on the Second-Hand EV Market
Dutch startup Eccasion, founded by the creators of Swapfiets, secured €3.2 million (about $3.5 million) in a funding round led by Playfair VC and Rethink Ventures. The capital will fund team expansion and technology upgrades as the company targets selling more than...
The EIB Is Providing EUR 300 Million for the Extension of the FGC Line 8 in Barcelona
The European Investment Bank has signed a €300 million (≈$330 million) loan with the Catalan government to fund the extension of FGC’s Line 8 in Barcelona. The project adds a 4‑kilometre underground tunnel between Plaça d’Espanya and Gràcia, creating new stations at Hospital...