VISION mobility kostenlos Probelesen
Die Zeitschrift VISION mobility richtet sich an mobilitätsbegeisterte Menschen bzw. Flottenmanager und begleitet den Technologiewandel in Sachen Automotive und Mobilität.
Aktueller Termin
Meist gelesen
Freenow becomes part of Lyft: what passengers and drivers can expect now
Lyft, Inc. has completed the acquisition of the European mobility provider Freenow. According to the company, the integration creates one of the largest multi-mobility platforms worldwide. The merger expands the addressable market of Lyft to more than 300 billion private vehicle trips per year.
"We are not changing what makes Freenow special – our strong presence throughout Europe – but we are building on it," said Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow. "With Lyft's platform and expertise, we can develop unique solutions faster and better support drivers, passengers, and urban partners."
Usage and Reach
Since the beginning of 2024, the Lyft app has been opened 4.6 million times in Freenow markets, while the Freenow app has recorded 1.2 million views in Lyft markets. With the acquisition, Lyft is now present in a total of eleven countries and nearly 1,000 cities. In addition, the company operates bikesharing services in 16 countries and over 86 cities.
Expansion of Offerings since April 2025
The latest market expansions include the launch of the ride service in Puerto Rico, the addition of more cities in Quebec, and the introduction of bikesharing services in Miami as well as in the Spanish cities of Bilbao and Rivas. Freenow has expanded its presence to 30 more cities in four European countries and is now active in over 180 cities in nine countries.
Changes for Passengers
As part of the integration, eligible new customers will receive a discount of up to 50 percent on their first ride in each new region until the end of 2025. Users of the Free Now app in the USA and Canada will henceforth be referred to the Lyft app, while Lyft users in Europe will be directed to the Free Now app. Both platforms are expected to be seamlessly usable in the future. Additional bonus points for rides in Europe are planned for eligible Chase credit card holders. Passengers in Europe are also expected to benefit from more uniform prices, faster allocations, new features, and additional modes of transportation in certain markets.
Impact on Drivers
Due to the mutual app integration, the companies expect higher passenger numbers for both Free Now drivers in Europe and Lyft drivers in North America. Lyft aims to further expand Free Now's taxi business in Europe, which is currently based on partnerships with over 150,000 drivers and numerous institutions. In the USA, Lyft claims to be the preferred platform for drivers, with a lead of 29 percent over the next largest competitor (as of Q2 2025).
Organization and Integration
FREENOW CEO Thomas Zimmermann will report to Jeremy Bird, Executive Vice President Driver Experience at Lyft, in the future. The Country General Managers of FREENOW will retain their strategic responsibility for the markets in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, France, and Austria.
"Even with our international growth, one thing will not change, namely our customer focus. This is exactly what makes FREENOW such a strong partner," said Jeremy Bird, EVP Driver Experience at Lyft.
"Our integration approach respects what makes FREENOW successful – the talented team, the specific requirements of individual markets, and the long-standing relationships with fleet operators, taxi drivers, and passengers across Europe. By leveraging and expanding these strengths, we lay the foundation for sustainable growth and a better experience for all parties involved."
Both companies plan to work closely together in the future to provide new features for passengers and drivers worldwide. According to Lyft, the acquisition will have no impact on the financial results of the second quarter of 2025.
```Content automatically translated.
Taxi-Fahrzeuge (Pkw) , Taxi-Newsletter, Taxameter, Taxi-Fahrer , BZP – Deutscher Taxi- und Mietwagenverband , Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) , Krankenbeförderung , Weiterbildung , Taxi-Konzessionen , Verkehrspolitik , Mietwagenbranche , Taxi-Apps , Berufskraftfahrer-Qualifikations-Gesetz BKrFQG) , Taxizentralen , Personal, Gehälter, Arbeitsschutz , Wirtschaftsnachrichten , Werbung , Taxi-Folierung , Taxi-Umrüster , Straßenverkehr , Elektromobilität, Taxifuhrpark und -flottenmanagement , Taxi-Versicherungen , Hybrid, Diesel, Erdgas , Taxi-Magazin
