Ride-hailing provider Lyft reported record earnings for the second quarter as its adjusted EBITDA grew to a historic high of $79.1 million.The company’s adjusted EBITDA increased by $55.3 million, up 232 percent from one year ago and $24.3 million from the first quarter of this year. Adjusted net income jumped from $24.6 million in the first quarter to $46.4 million in the second quarter.ADVERTISING Trending Now Revenue grew to $990.7 million, an increase of 13 percent from the first quarter of this year and a 30 percent year-over-year improvement. As for net loss, Lyft reported $377.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, up from the $251.9 million during the same period last year.“We leaned in hard in Q2 and the team did fantastic work to drive strong results,” Lyft CEO Logan Green said. “We generated the highest Adjusted EBITDA in our company’s history and saw COVID highs for Active Riders, drivers and rides. It’s clear consumer transportation is a good long-term business with a massive addressable market.”The ride-hailing brand reported $1.8 billion of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at the end of the second quarter.“Our Q2 Adjusted EBITDA outperformance reflects the swift and decisive actions we took during the quarter to drive additional growth and profits,” Lyft chief financial officer Elaine Paul said. “We are confident in our ability to continue navigating macroeconomic headwinds and deliver strong long-term business results.”Earlier this year, Delta Air Lines and Lyft enhanced their combined mobile phone application to bring Delta SkyMiles customers more real-time information. The airline and the ride-sharing service will now include flight updates on the app for Lyft customers who are Delta SkyMiles members heading to the airport.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

Amtrak’s new Ethan Allen Express completed its inaugural trip from Burlington, Vermont into New York City on Friday, following a 70-year pause in service. The highly anticipated addition of this daily route now affords local area travelers more transportation options for connecting with NYC.Where the line used to end in Rutland, the Ethan Allen Express now extends further north, with station stops in Middlebury, Ferrisburgh-Vergennes and, finally, Burlington’s Union Station.ADVERTISING Trending Now Some train enthusiasts came from out of the vicinity to ride the rails to Burlington just to take part in the occasion. “There’s been a lot of talk for Amtrak expanding. Just to see it actually happening is a big deal. Coming to see all the people who turned out for it is really nice,” Jonah Turner, visiting from Atlanta, told WCAX local news.Reportedly decades in the making, this project to restore rail service between the Queen City and the Big Apple was made possible by a state investment of $100 million to upgrade the tracks and construct new platforms and train stations. “I do think it’s worth it to bring more people into the state, getting them transportation from our largest city to the largest city in the world is important so we can attract more people,” said Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott.Burlington residents told the outlet they’re glad to now have the Ethan Allen Express route as an option for making the trip into NYC. “I have family and friends in New York City. I look forward to visiting much more often,” said Ben Gorbach.Burlington officials said they expect the rail service will help to bring in more visitors, offering the local economy a boost at this crucial time. “Today must both be a celebration in progress and an inspiration to further investment in innovation and transformation in the years ahead,” remarked Burlington mayor Miro Weinberger.Dan Delabruere, Rail and Aviation Bureau director for VTrans, said the Ethan Allen extension is the result of many requests from the public. “We get inquiries about the train from almost every walk of life,” he explained. “There’s a lot of people that love trains and those people are very excited. There are a lot of people that want to go to New York City, but don’t drive a car. There are college students that don’t have a car. There are all those types of folks that have really been asking the question, when can we get the train? And we’re happy to deliver that to Burlington, Middlebury, and Vergennes.”The Ethan Allen Express leaves Burlington daily at 10:10 a.m. and arrives in NYC around seven and half hours later at 5:45 p.m. The route’s northbound service departs Penn Station at 2:00 p.m. daily and arrives in Burlington around 10:00 pm. Featuring café service and onboard WiFi, a one-way trip will cost passengers around $75.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

SIXT USA recently announced several new car rental discounts for travelers trying to take advantage of the remaining summer months.To close out the summer, SIXT is offering customers the ability to ride in style with up to 25 percent off its top luxury rentals, including the Mercedes Benz G-Wagon, Range Rover and BMW Series convertibles.ADVERTISING Trending Now The discount on the Premium, Luxury and Extraordinary rental categories runs through July 29 for rental periods ending on August 14 at select rental locations in the United States.SIXT is also launching a deal that includes 25 percent off most rentals booked at select SIXT locations in some of the best travel destinations across the country, including the likes of Miami, Palm Beach, Aspen, San Diego, Las Vegas, Houston and Maui.The overall discount is available to travelers who book through August 26 for rental periods ending no later than August 31. Both deals are only valid for prepaid rentals.A full list of terms and conditions can be found on the official SIXT website.Earlier this month, the Munich-based international car rental company announced it would expand to the Canadian market, with Vancouver the site of its first Canadian branch, soon to be followed by Toronto.Canadian branches will soon offer digital counter bypass, which allows customers to not only bypass the counter, but also pre-select the vehicle they want to reserve within two hours of pick-up.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

It’s being called the summer from hell, as the wave of travel demand following two-plus years of COVID-induced confinement has overwhelmed operators across multiple modes of transportation.The reasons for today’s tumultuous travel landscape have reportedly ranged from staffing shortages and equipment deficits to unforeseen traveler volumes and too-frequent incidents of extreme weather.ADVERTISING Trending Now Not only did carriers reduce their workforces to bare minimums during the pandemic, they also sold off or decommissioned portions of their fleets (aircraft, ships, cars, etc.), and reduced or discontinued service to smaller markets.Now, airlines and airports, in particular, are having a hard time ramping operations back up, and hiring and training enough staff to handle the influx of flyers returning to the skies. It’s led to widespread and ongoing flight disruptions, with crowding, confusion and long lines at airports.But, although air passengers are bearing the brunt of the chaos, flyers aren’t alone in their anguish—rail travelers are also encountering their share of miseries this busy summer season.The Washington Post reported that Amtrak is contending with a similar spate of delays and cancellations, long lines and extended customer service wait times. Intercity train operations are suffering this summer, as staffing shortages and other challenges conflict with an increased demand for rail service that’s already rebounded nearly to pre-pandemic levels. Railroad officials said that about 80 percent of Amtrak’s service has been restored to 2019 levels, although the company can’t currently increase capacity without more staff to run the trains. An Amtrak long-distance train travels through the lush forests and wildflower meadows of the Pacific Northwest. (Photo courtesy of Amtrak) “It’s travel hell for everybody,” said Jim Mathews, President and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “The airlines are terrible right now. Gas prices are crushing budgets. Hotels are a mess. Everything is crowded. And, yeah, Amtrak is not immune.”According to Amtrak’s own on-time performance reports, over one-quarter of its customers encountered delays during the month of June. Its data also shows that the portion of passengers experiencing delays is on the rise and that those delays are getting longer.The service disruptions are also more onerous for those traveling in areas of the U.S. outside the Northeast Corridor and on long-distance routes, which are shown to be late more than half of the time.“We’re facing the same challenges as other travel segments,” Amtrak president Roger Harris said in an interview. “We know it’s a tough summer...We certainly expected delays and cancellations, but we tried to get ahead of it as much as possible.” Amtrak Acela Express Train at Boston's South Station. (photo via drnadig/iStock Unreleased) Amtrak’s cancellation numbers have also risen, although they remain relatively rare. Between Memorial Day weekend and mid-July, slightly more than one percent of trains across the passenger rail network wound up getting canceled.Amtrak’s problems have been less severe than the air travel sector’s, in part because it avoids overbooking—a common practice among airlines. The company has maintained enough flexibility to be able to add trains as demand increases, with its passengers purchasing tickets closer to their trip dates.Climate conditions have also impacted train travel, as frequent heat waves across the country have necessitated slower speeds for both passenger trains and the freight trains with which they share the track. High temperatures can cause the metal rails themselves to expand, requiring railroads to follow special safety protocols and run trains at slower speeds. Adblock test (Why?)

Amtrak Vacations and Railbookers announced their biggest sale of the year with savings of up to $500 per couple or $250 per person.The partnership between the National Tour Operator for Amtrak and Railbookers’ independent rail holiday experts is valid through July 22 on all rail vacation packages for travel in 2022 or 2023.ADVERTISING Trending Now Couples can save $300 per couple on three- to six-night rail vacation packages, $400 on seven- to nine-night packages and $500 on rail vacation packages of 10 nights or more.“We continue to see strong demand for last-minute bookings across our markets,” Railbookers CEO Frank Marini said. “For Railbookers US, for example, just over 30 percent of current new bookings are departing in the next two months, so we’re really looking at helping travel advisors make the most of this opportunity by offering some great savings across all of our destinations.”“And with the current situation regarding airport delays, baggage handling nightmares, etc., traveling by train has become a very popular option,” Marini continued.To help travelers craft the perfect vacation, Amtrak Vacations and Railbookers provided several sample itineraries available for immediate bookings. The companies also revealed that each adventure is entirely customizable.For Amtrak Vacations:New Orleans Ultimate Getaway — 4 days from $459 per personNorthern Rail Experience — 9 days from $2,049Rails to the Grand Canyon — 5 days from $799Washington DC Ultimate Getaway — 4 days from $529 per personFor Railbookers:Prague, Vienna and Budapest — 7 days from $1,199 per personGrand Rome, Florence and Venice — 7 days from $1,249 per personMunich, Salzburg and Vienna — 7 days from $1,149 per personGrand Tour of Scotland from London — 10 days from $1,699 per personFor the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

Amtrak has become the official travel partner of the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia’s new exhibit, Harry Potter: The Exhibition, available now through September 18.As the official travel partner, Amtrak is promoting the exhibition and the ten routes to the city’s William H Gray III 30th Street Station (PHL), which is located within a mile of the Franklin Institute.ADVERTISINGMORE Car Rental & Rail Harry Potter: The Exhibition is a 21-gallery, 18,000-square-foot exhibit encompassing all things Harry Potter, including beloved Hogwarts places such as the castle, Hagrid’s Hut, the four houses and the Great Hall.Children and adults alike will be immersed in the Wizarding World, getting to choose their own houses, wand and Patronus, with personalized interactions with parts of the exhibit via an RFID wristband, which catalogs a person’s choices made throughout the exhibit.“Amtrak is proud to serve as an official transportation partner for Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia,” said Amtrak Assistant Vice President National Advertising & Brand Management, Darlene Abubakar. “By taking Amtrak, families can travel to the Exhibition without dealing with the hassles of driving, expensive gas prices and parking. Remember to book early for the best Amtrak fares.”Amtrak offers routes to Philadelphia from places such as Florida, Vermont and Chicago, with Amtrak Saver Fares available for the best rates.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter. Adblock test (Why?)

The great American road trip is about to go electric. More and more travelers are seeking fuel-efficient vehicles for both everyday use and for travel—especially with the high price for fuel.Even rental car companies are capitalizing on the trend. Hertz has purchased 100,000 Teslas to add to its rental fleet. It is a signal of a societal shift in the country as more people are transitioning to vehicles powered by electricity.ADVERTISING Trending Now As more and more EVs hit the highways, a new study from travel insurance comparison site InsureMyTrip has identified the top destinations for EV road trips. The study analyzed 13 popular routes and noted the best ones based on the percentage of free chargers per stop, number of charge points per stop, number of level three chargers per stop, quality of national parks, quality of attractions and experiences and quality of restaurants.California, where electric vehicle sales are surging, topped the list. The Pacific Coast Highway scored a 6.48 out of 10 points. The route scored high in four of the six categories, including the number of charge points per stop (10), quality of attractions and experiences (8.97), quality of restaurants (7.63) and quality of national parks (7.52). The route covers 655 miles of the Californian coastline with nearly 5,500 electric charges along it, and 93 percent of them are at least a level 2 charge. Bixby Bridge in Big Sur, California. (photo via miroslav_1/iStock/Getty Images Plus) Natchez Trace Parkway, traversing Tennessee and Mississippi, was in the number-two spot, scoring a 5.91. The 444-mile route explores the beautiful sights in the rural southeast and features 360 chargers with almost 80 percent offering a ‘fast charge’, minimizing the risk of running low on battery.The Appalachian Trail, from Maine to Georgia, scored a 5.42 with high-quality restaurants (9.21), quality of national parks (8.48) and quality of attractions and experiences (7.95). Charging infrastructure on this route could use some improvement. The 2,200-mile journey features more than 1,000 EV chargers, but 91 percent of them are located in New York. Electric Vehicle in Park Street Charging station. (Photo via nrqumi / iStock / Getty Images Plus) The Atlantic Coast, including Massachusetts, New York, North and South Carolina and Florida, scored a 5.38, and the Oregon Trail through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts scored 5.32.“With the cost of travel increasing, many Americans are opting for road trips," said Sarah Webber, director of marketing at InsureMyTrip. "However, the price of gas is also going up, which is why some are considering electric cars to get them to their vacation destination. Our hope is this list of routes will make the decision to go electric easier and encourage travelers to take that road trip." Adblock test (Why?)

Amtrak is ordering fifty more American-manufactured locomotives to enhance the sustainability and longevity of its National Network, and its long-distance offerings.The new order comes after it initially ordered 75 from Siemens Mobility in 2018, bringing the total spending up to $2 billion for the new locomotives and maintenance support.ADVERTISING Trending Now The locomotives are called ALC-42 and will replace Amtrak P40 and P42 locomotives, which began service three decades ago. The new locomotives reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 89 percent and particulate matter emissions by 95 percent, all while using less fuel and going faster with a top speed of 125 miles per hour.“We’re dedicated to continuously seeking new and innovative technologies that provide solutions to meet transportation needs while reducing health and climate impacts,“ said Amtrak Vice President and Chief Mechanical Officer George Hull. “We are focused on being the solution to get people out of cars and planes and onto rail for greater emissions reductions.“The first of the new National Network locomotives began service in Chicago in February of this year, on the Empire Builder trains. The next rollout will be on the City of New Orleans trains, which follow a route between the city and Chicago.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. Adblock test (Why?)

Enterprise Holdings and its foundation is awarding its second year of ROAD Forward grants, awarding $7 million to organizations across the country that work to advance social and racial equity.The total number of grants awarded over the past two years totals $14 million, part of the five-year ROAD Forward commitment that will provide $55 million to organizations in need. Over the five years, $20 million of the allocated funds will go to four nonprofits: My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, UNCF, Girls Inc. and Parents as Teachers.ADVERTISINGThe $7 million in this year’s grants were awarded to local nonprofits that were recommended by Enterprise Holdings’ employees throughout North America and Europe; 70 percent of the awarded organizations had received grants in 2021 as well. In the U.S., organizations awarded grants include One Hundred Black Men in New York, which seeks to help children through access to mentorship, and Southern California’s The Bridge Builders Foundation, which focuses on career and college preparation while advocating for an end to barriers of race, poverty and ignorance.In Canada and Europe, La Maison D’Haiti, which is a Canadian organization that seeks to welcome, educate and improve the living conditions of Haitian immigrants was awarded a grant, as was Children’s Books Ireland, which advocates for childhood literacy."At Enterprise, we feel immense responsibility to contribute to the health of the communities where we live and work. Employees are invited to nominate organizations driving meaningful impact in their hometowns," said Enterprise Holdings Foundation President Carolyn Kindle Betz. "In the program's second year, ROAD Forward's local grants will enable nearly 700 nonprofit organizations to drive progress in three key social equity areas: early childhood development, youth health and wellness, and career and college preparation."ROAD Forward operates by four pillars: respect, opportunity, achievement and diversity (ROAD). Early childhood development, youth health and wellness and career and college preparation are the main focuses of the program.For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. For more information, please click here. Adblock test (Why?)

Travelers, commuters and other Uber users can save some money by co-sharing their Uber rides with the launch of UberX Share, now launched across several large cities today, June 21.Whether you’ll choose to save on carbon emissions or save up to twenty percent off their usual fares, UberX Share riders can be matched with a co-rider heading in the same direction they are.ADVERTISING Trending Now According to Uber, the new ride-sharing program makes sure riders don’t arrive late; on average, travelers using UberX Share arrive no more than eight minutes later than a traditional UberX ride.UberX Share is now available in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego, Portland, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, with more cities added throughout the summer.“We’re excited to introduce a new shared rides offering to millions of people across the country. UberX Share reimagines the future of shared rides with greater efficiency and safety top of mind,” said Andrew Macdonald, SVP, Mobility and Business Operations.“Riders will experience the features they’ve come to expect from UberX rides, along with an upfront discount and up to 20 percent off the total fare, if matched with a co-rider along the way…This new shared rides offering will provide a more affordable, efficient and sustainable experience for riders, drivers, the cities we serve, and for Uber.”For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here. For more information, please visit Uber. Adblock test (Why?)