Remember SuperShuttle?
The company’s vans were once a common sight around New Castle County.
Now comes word from a Los Angeles Times story and other sources that the service will shut down at the end of the year.
The website is still taking reservations, although a one-way trip to the Philadelphia International Airport from Newark via luxury sedan will cost a hefty $154 one way. Vans are no longer an option.
By contrast, Newark-based Delaware Express Shuttle will offer luxury wheels to the Philly airport for less. Delaware Express is part of the Go network of locally owned airport transportation services in more than 80 markets. Go also offers a less expensive shared van option.
SuperShuttle seemed like a can’t miss idea at the time it began acquiring locally owned airport shuttle services and giving travelers a common brand. Its hip-jolting blue vans served 80 airports in the U.S. and overseas.
As late as 2017, it was still in a buying mood, purchasing a shuttle service serving Dulles Airport in northern Virginia.
But nibbling away at SuperShuttle was competition from off-airport parking services.
The online world also came into play, with travelers able to check out rates and services online, rather than checking into the SuperShuttle service desk on arrival.
The final blow came with Uber and Lyft, although bargain airport drives are largely gone. Drivers for the two services have come to grips with the realities of the “gig economy” that can lead to the equivalent of fast-food wages of $8 to $11 an hour once taxes and auto-related expenses are subtracted.
It remains a mystery as to how SuperShuttle and cab companies for that matter did not grasp the fact that smartphone apps could be used to access transportation. An early SuperShuttle app might have saved the company.
Here’s to a productive day after a weekend that had its ups and downs when it came to the weather. At least we dodged the snow.
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