Gig Economy Work Gets Boost From Mobility Platforms in EMEA

The rise of mobility platforms such as the ride-hailing app Uber has transformed the way people move around cities. To date, the model has been compared to a digital taxi booking service, only it embraces the gig economy.

But in recent times, the basic model has evolved to incorporate a greater range of transport types and a more communal, ridesharing approach that is closer to public transport than it is private taxi services.

Ride Hailing for Bus Services

In the past week, two mobility platforms that operate a ridesharing model have announced expansion plans.

Easy Matatu, a Ugandan ridesharing minibus service, announced Tuesday (Oct. 4) that it received an investment from the Renew Capital Angels network, which will be used to grow its fleet in Kampala and expand into other African cities.

Matatus are privately owned and operated minibuses that are popular in East Africa. In Kampala, it is estimated that they represent 80% of the transportation system, according to Easy Matatu.

In an effort to modernize the matatu system, the firm has built a digital platform that allows passengers to reserve their seats on a minibus through a smartphone app, with each matatu and driver vetted and trained by the company to ensure a safe, comfortable ride.

By using data and analytics to create optimized routes that increase efficiency, the firm is also able to cut journey times and reduce pollution. To ensure each Easy Matatu vehicle is in good shape, the company also requires regular servicing.

Another firm that’s bringing the gig economy model to vehicles more associated with public transport is the Swiss mobility startup Mybuxi.

Unlike ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Lyft, Mybuxi owns its all-electric fleet of vehicles, which drivers simply pick up from one of the firm’s locations when a journey has been requested on the Mybuxi app.

See also: Fleets Use Telematics Data to Help Transition to Electric Vehicles

In its most recent partnership, Mybuxi has tapped the Egyptian-Emirati technology firm SWVL to help build its digital platform and expand the service into the Belp municipality.

Thanks to SWVL technology, Mybuxi can serve small alpine settlements that aren’t catered to by Switzerland’s existing public transport network, helping people without a car travel between towns in clean electric vehicles (EVs).

Read also: EVs Transform Urban Transport Experience in European Cities

Uber Supports Electrification

The growing prominence of EVs in Europe’s ride-hailing market can also be seen in a recent partnership between Uber and Paris-based, multiservice mobility firm Free2move.

Free2move offers drivers an array of solutions designed to meet specific needs with leasing, long-term rental, and monthly subscription plans.

In the latest collaboration, Free2Move will give France’s Uber drivers access to EVs from Stellantis brands. Stellantis is one of the world’s leading EV manufacturers, following a merger last year of the Italian-American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group. Stellantis brands include Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Mopar, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall.

See also: Amazon, Stellantis Signed Deal to Build Connected in-Vehicle Experiences

Under the new deal, Uber drivers will be able to use Free2Move’s flexible hire and purchase plans to buy Stelantis EVs including the Peugeot e2008, Citroën ë-C4, Vauxhall Mokka-e, and Opel Zafira-e. In order to facilitate drivers’ transition to EVs, Uber has also set up an Electric Mobility Plan, which includes a financial contribution.

Additionally, Free2move programs offer diesel vehicle trade-ins to help encourage Uber’s electrification efforts in France.

Elsewhere in Europe, the ride-hailing giant announced earlier this year that it is set to have over 10,000 EVs in London by the end of the year and is on track to become an all-electric platform in London by 2025. The company stated that “London is the global leader in Uber’s electrification efforts with more EVs on Uber in London than any other city on the app.”

Read more: Madrid Regulates, London Electrifies

Globally, Uber intends for half of all vehicles available on the platform to be electric by 2025. Stelantis has previously announced plans for 100% of the vehicles it manufactures in Europe to be electric by 2038.

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