SAN FRANCISCO -- ERide, a start-up company chaired by Joseph
Vittoria, founder of Travel Services International (TSI) and former
head of Avis, is planning to offer ground transportation services
at major airports nationwide in 2001.
In a statement, Vittoria said the company's aim is to use
automation and wireless devices to offer business and
"time-sensitive" leisure travelers a faster and "highly
personalized ground transportation experience" at airports.
"We're enacting a major transformation of an old economy
business and bringing it into the 21st century," he said.
"ERide's operations will leverage the latest advancements in the
Internet, wireless technology and logistics to create a highly
convenient and seamless ground travel experience."
Vittoria, who oversaw the sale of TSI to Airtours earlier this
year, brought in several industry veterans to eRide, including Bill
Lanier, former vice president of North America operations for
Budget Rent A Car, as president and chief executive officer.
Pete Runnette, vice president of strategic partnerships, is a
former vice president at Continental and Pan Am airlines.
ERide raised its first round of financing in early 2000 from
venture capital firms and investors that include travel industry
veterans Keith Cobb, former chief executive officer at Alamo,
Freddy Dellis, former president of Hertz International and David
Kennedy, former chief executive officer at Aer Lingus.
ERide said it forged agreements with a hotel chain, a car rental
company and several major airlines.