Leap Transit
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox bus company
| name = Leap Transit
| logo =
| logo_size =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| company_slogan = Your daily commute. Redesigned.
| parent =
| founded = {{start date|2013|05}}
| commenced = {{start date|2015|03|18}}
| ceased =
| defunct = {{end date|2015|05|20}}
| headquarters =
| locale = San Francisco, California
| service_area =
| service_type = Commuter buses
| routes = 1
| stops = 9
| destinations = Financial District, Marina District
| depots =
| fleet = 4 buses
| ridership =
| annual_ridership =
| fuel_type = Compressed natural gas
| operator =
| ceo = Kyle Kirchhoff
| website = {{URL|http://rideleap.com/|rideleap.com}}
}}
Leap Transit was a San Francisco, California premium transit provider offering bus service for several months in 2015 before being shut down for noncompliance with regulations.
History
The company began operations in May 2013, running shuttle buses between San Francisco's marina and financial districts.{{cite web | url=http://archives.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/new-san-francisco-shuttle-service-offering-route-similar-to-muni/Content?oid=2350062 | title=New San Francisco shuttle service offering route similar to Muni | publisher=San Francisco Examiner | date=May 30, 2013 | access-date=September 22, 2015}} The service was run with a single chartered 36-passenger bus, owned and operated by the charter company.{{cite web | url=http://blog.sfgate.com/cityinsider/2013/05/30/leap-transit-offers-private-shuttle-service-along-muni-route/ | title=Leap Transit offers private shuttle service along Muni route | publisher=SFGate.com | date=May 30, 2013 | access-date=September 22, 2015}} Leap operated briefly in 2013; the company later characterized it as a "beta test" before obtaining more financing.{{cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/23/8279715/san-francisco-bus-leap-loup-chariot | title=All aboard San Francisco's startup bus craze | publisher=The Verge | date=March 23, 2015 | access-date=September 22, 2015}}
The company launched full operations in March 2015, operating four full sized buses, refurbished with new interiors.{{cite web | url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Luxury-bus-is-here-to-disrupt-your-S-F-commute-6142528.php | title=Luxury bus is here to disrupt your S.F. commute | publisher=SFGate.com | date=March 18, 2015 | access-date=September 22, 2015}} About $2.5 million in capital for its operations was provided by venture capital companies Andreessen Horowitz, Index Ventures, and Slow Ventures, as well as an investment by Marc Benioff.{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/17/leap-buses/ | title=Andreessen Horowitz-Backed Leap Buses Are Hitting San Francisco's Streets This Week | publisher=TechCrunch | date=March 17, 2015 | access-date=September 22, 2015}} Buses traveled only during morning and afternoon commute periods on ten to fifteen-minute headways.
On May 20, Leap ceased operating after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a cease and desist notice to the company, saying it had been operating without permission from the authority, and had not provided proof of insurance, workers compensation, or compliance with driver testing.{{cite web | url=http://archives.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/leap-transit-halts-luxury-buses-after-cease-and-desist-order/Content?oid=2930787 | title=Leap Transit halts luxury buses after cease-and-desist order | publisher=San Francisco Examiner | date=May 20, 2015 | access-date=September 22, 2015}} The company had been granted an "authority to operate," but not a license from the state; Leap said it believed it was operating legally, as because its service did not leave San Francisco it therefore fell under the purview of city regulations. The city, however, said it had given the CPUC regulatory authority.{{cite web | url=http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Leap-Transit-shut-down-by-the-state-for-operating-6276298.php | title=Leap Transit shut down by the state for operating illegally | publisher=SFGate.com | date=May 20, 2015 | access-date=September 22, 2015}}
On July 15, Leap filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy, and two of its buses were listed for public auction in October.{{cite web | url=http://www.sfexaminer.com/leap-files-for-bankruptcy-auctions-off-remaining-buses/ | title=Leap files for bankruptcy, auctions off remaining buses | publisher=San Francisco Examiner | date=September 15, 2015 | access-date=September 22, 2015}}