E7: All Listener Requests - Hertz Bankruptcy, Re-imagining The Public Bus

Inside Transportation

This is episode seven of the Inside Transportation podcast. This podcast was made possible by Ford Motor Company (www.ford.com) and Fenwick (www.fenwick.com). Featuring Jason Calacanis (Angel investor, LAUNCH, Inside.com) and Johan Moreno (Inside.com). Subscribe to Inside Transportation newsletter: inside.com/transportation Subscribe to Inside Electric Vehicles newsletter: inside.com/evs Recorded on June 2, 2020. SHOW NOTES -- Jason and Johan take all your listener questions and requests and put them in a special edition of Inside Transportation. 10:00 — “Is this the death of the rental car?” AXIOS - Hertz files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy https://www.axios.com/hertz-bankruptcy-coronavirus-3799ec84-8ca4-433c-b432-a451ea0ecb81.html BUSINESS INSIDER - Enterprise became America's largest car rental by hiring 'amiable jocks' straight out of college https://www.businessinsider.com/hertz-bankruptcy-enterprise-amiable-jock-hiring-strategy-endures-2020-5 A listener wanted us to delve deeper on the fate of the rental car industry. Two rental car agencies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy: Hertz (which also owns Thrifty and Dollar) and Advantage Rent-a-Car. 24:00 — “How would you remake the public bus?” Supporting link: AXIOS - Coronavirus is reshaping urban mobility https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-cities-urban-mobility-streets-dining-adb17f7f-cfe9-4015-a871-7360b2a3e59a.html A listener asked if you could remake the public bus, accounting for the needs of modern passengers, what amenities or features would you add to attract more riders? Some have argued that public transport is underfunded because the “wealthy don’t rely on it.” 40:00 — “Are we in the new era of the boat?” Supporting link: WTNH - Boat sales booming as other industries struggle to stay afloat amid pandemic shutdowns A listener loved the idea of talking a bit about boats, after seeing an update in the Inside Transportation newsletter about boats. Some boat sellers have reported strong sales during COVID-19. CHECK THIS OUT: X Shore says it is the “Tesla of boats,” which is 100% electric. The Eelex 8000 offers a range of 100 nautical miles (which is about 115 land miles). No motor engine, just water displacement. Price starts at $277K. The boat is modular. YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KbhbrKQlV0 45:00 — Rapid Fire Questions Jason talks about the transportation startup he regrets not investing in and whether lower gas prices will affect Tesla.