---
title: "Ford’s Chariot Resumes San Francisco Shuttle Service After Failing Inspections"
description: "The Chariot failed three consecutive California Highway Patrol inspections."
date: "2017-10-24"
modified: "2017-10-24"
authors:
  - name: "Stephen Edelstein"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/15404/fords-chariot-resumes-san-francisco-shuttle-service-after-failing-inspections"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Ford"
  - "regulations"
  - "ride sharing"
  - "San Francisco"
  - "Tech"
---

# Ford’s Chariot Resumes San Francisco Shuttle Service After Failing Inspections

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/10/chariot1.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com\</em\>*

[Ford's Chariot shuttle service](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/6516/ford-chariot-team-up-for-shared-van-service-in-austin>) is back on the streets of San Francisco after a temporary suspension due to failed safety inspections. The California Public Utilities Commission pulled Chariot's operator license after three consecutive failed inspections by the California Highway Patrol.

CHP re-inspected Chariot and Friday and the service passed, Chariot CEO Ali Vahabzadeh wrote to customers in an email (via [*TechCrunch*](<https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/23/chariot-resumes-shuttle-service-in-sf-today/>)). He said Chariot has "resolved the situation" and the company does not expect any further interruptions.

Previous inspections found that some Chariot drivers did not have the required California Class B licenses needed to drive for the service. Chariot's Ford Transit vans are considered passenger buses under California regulations, meaning drivers must have Class B licenses.

Chariot launched in San Francisco in 2014, and was acquired by Ford late last year. The service bills itself as a more flexible alternative to public transportation that still takes advantage of the efficiencies of shared rides. Rather than taking [individual Uber or Lyft cars](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/11455/uber-lyft-make-up-one-fifth-of-vehicle-trips-that-start-or-end-in-san-francisco>), riders share a van that runs on a flexible route determined by their final destinations. Chariot also allows riders to suggest new routes.

In addition to San Francisco, Chariot currently operates [in New York](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/12962/fords-chariot-shuttle-service-coming-to-new-york-city>), Seattle, and Austin. Operations in those cities were not affected by the California regulatory snafu.

## Author
Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/SAEdelstein>)