BlaBlaCar Business Model: How BlaBlaCar Works & Makes Money?

French online marketplace platform for carpooling, BlaBlaCar connects passengers and drivers. Passengers willing to travel between cities and share journey costs can book the service easily. It’s a leading carpooling service provider that enables users to reduce long-distance trips cost. The company is giving tough competition to the leading ride-hailing giant, Uber. BlaBlaCar helps clients save money. Explore the blog on a BlaBlaCar business model and discover how BlaBlaCar works and makes money.

BlaBlaCar has expanded its service significantly to many countries like Belgium, Czechia, France, Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, etc. The company uses social network capabilities, making the car-sharing journey profitable for each rider. Looking at the success of BlaBlaCar, if you are thinking of starting a car-sharing or carpooling business, White Label Fox can help you with the same.

What is BlaBlaCar?

The French online carpooling marketplace has more than 100 million members and it’s available in 22 countries. The company does not own any vehicles, it acts as a broker and charges an 18% to 21% commission on every booking. BlaBlaCar announced that it acquired Klaxit, a ride-sharing service to provide daily services on time.

The company has its own commuting service, BlaBlaCar Daily, helping many riders to travel from one place to another on time. Many people use BlaBlaCar to ride between smaller cities as there is no train station in small cities. It also added other services like a bus marketplace after the Ouibus acquisitions and a bus ticketing solution with the Busfor acquisition.

BlaBlaCar Success Timeline: Find How Company Gained Success?

BlaBlaCar was founded by Frédéric Mazzella, Francis Nappez, Nicolas Brusson, and Nicolas Deroche in 2006. It unveiled a new corporation. A new algorithm was put into action to increase troop numbers and engage more users. As of 2018, BlaBlaCar had more than 60 million users in 22 countries and around travelers every quarter.

In 2018, BlaBlaCar purchased Ouibus, a long-distance coach operator from SNCF. Due to this transaction, SNCF became the company’s shareholder. Later Ouibus was rebranded as BlaBlaBus. Besides this, the company raised $114 million from previous investors and SNCF.

Busfor, Russia’s largest booking platform was also acquired by BlaBlaCar in 2019. Bus seats represented almost 20% of bookings on the BlaBlaCar in 2021. Have a look at BlaBlaCar’s success timeline to know everything about its funding history, growth steps, and more.

A BlaBlaCar business model is beneficial for users. The platform connects users looking to carpool or travel by bus, making their journey more friendly, affordable, and efficient in more than 22 countries. Every two seconds a new member joins the platform. In France alone, the company has more than 20 million members and is used by more than 60% of users who belong to the age group of 18 to 35.

Almost 80% of BlaBlaCar’s services are outside of France. In today’s market where the digital platform is evolving at a blistering pace, it’s a profitable option to launch a carpooling platform similar to BlaBlaCar.

If you are thinking of starting a business similar to BlaBlaCar, White Label Fox can help you with the same. Contact our team to know how much it costs to build an app like BlaBlaCar. Just fill in all details and get a free quote today.

BlaBlaCar Business Model: How the Carpooling Service Provides Works?

BlaBlaCar makes it easier for riders to search for rides for a particular location. Users can use Android or iOS devices to book rides and reach the location on time without hassle. Users just need to enter the starting and ending destination along with details about when they want to travel.

BlaBlaCar enables users to explore and select the best carpooling options they are looking for. As the name implies, carpooling options bring members together. This means riders will ride in a car that another rider has agreed to drive. The BlaBlaCar business models algorithm connects the rider provider and seeker. The company helps exchange contact information and offers a real-time chat to clarify matters.

The company’s drivers have their own ID, verified email, and contact number. BlaBlaCar’s drivers can link their social accounts to help users to review more details about them. The platform also provides a carpool commute through BlaBlaCar Daily. Those who want carpool service can get it with a few simple clicks.

Why Do Riders Prefer BlaBlaCar?

You now might have insight into the BlaBlaCar business model, now let’s explore how the platform provides the best experience to riders. With the help of technology, it becomes easier for riders to book carpooling services. Customer reviews and GPS tracking helps create authenticity.

• Those who don’t want to own a car like millennials, city dwellers, and more prefer to share their transportation services.
• Constant network connectivity, mobile apps, GPS navigation devices, e-transactions for payment, and constant network connectivity are a few of the technological advancements that enable flawless real-time matching of car owners with riders.
• Advanced features like GPS tracking makes it easier for riders to track the driver, car details, and more. This makes travel safer and more convenient for all users.

BlaBlaCar business model and its features make it stand out from other carpooling and taxi service providers in France and other countries it provides services. You can also follow the same algorithm and business model to build a platform similar to BlaBlaCar. Let’s discuss more, just reach us at [email protected]

BlaBlaCar Revenue Model: How Does a Company Make Money?

Compared to 2018, French startup BlaBlaCar has 71% of revenue growth in 2019. BlaBlaBus covers almost 400 cities in Europe, whereas BlaBlaLines attracts almost 1.5 million users. A BlaBlaCar business model has helped the company to build a huge community.

BlaBlaCar acquires Klaxit, a ride-sharing service for daily commutes. It’s a carpooling service that helps those who don’t want to drive the car regularly on their own. BlaBlaCar’s commuting services, BlaBlaCar Daily will be complemented by Klaxit after the acquisition closes.

In 2019, the company had almost 87 million users, while 17 million people signed up to the platform in the same year. BlaBlaCar has 70 million passengers across all its services. French Carpooling BlaBlaCar is planning to open its office in India in GuruGram ahead of expansion. The long-distance carpooling service recorded almost 135,000 passengers in a single day.

There are lots of ways to monetize a service like BlaBlaCar. Want to understand how BlaBlaCar generates revenue? There are lots of ways through which a mobile app like BlaBlaCar makes money.Explore a well-strategy plan consisting of revenue streams:

Ridesharing Fare

The drivers get a fair fuel expense for each journey. The total profit generated by every ride is split between the ridesharing service providers and drivers as well.

Subscriptions

BlaBlaCar acquired Octobus to offer bus services efficiently. This became feasible with fundraising of $115 million. The digital platform, Octopus is used for digitizing numerous operational activities. For automating a process, the ride-sharing business seeks monthly and quarterly subscription fees. There are mainly three plans which include:

• Basic
• Smart
• Pro

You can choose any of your choices.

Car Insurance Policies

BlaBlaCar apps can check everything about the car insurance policies, this can be considered as a revenue-generating source. This platform provides drivers with a car insurance policy covering protection against multiple risks such as broken glasses, civil liability, weather-related mishappenings, theft cases, and more.

Invest in BlaBlaCar Clone App Development to Start Ridesharing Business Today!

Ridesharing and carpooling are a continuously expanding industry, thus investing in BlaBlaCar clone app development can prove to be a profitable option. It helps you meet the growing requirement of riders by providing them with services on their demand. If you are looking to start a business similar to BlaBlaCar with a digital platform, White Label Fox can help you with the same.

We have a team of experienced and skilled developers who have expertise in working with modern technology and follow an agile methodology to build a platform that caters to all your business and customers’ requirements.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is BlaBlaCar?

BlaBlaCar is an online carpooling platform that connects drivers with passengers who need to travel in the same direction. It allows individuals to share long-distance rides and split the cost, making travel more affordable and environmentally friendly.

How Does BlaBlaCar Work?

BlaBlaCar works by allowing drivers to offer spare seats in their car for long-distance trips, and passengers can search for rides based on their desired destinations. Passengers can book their ride, and drivers set the price for the trip, typically covering the cost of fuel and other travel expenses. Payments are made securely through the app or website.

How Do Drivers Set Prices on BlaBlaCar?

Drivers on BlaBlaCar set their own prices based on factors such as distance, fuel costs, and travel expenses. The platform encourages drivers to keep the prices affordable while ensuring they cover their travel costs. BlaBlaCar also provides price recommendations based on historical data and similar routes.

How Does BlaBlaCar Make Money?

BlaBlaCar generates revenue by charging a commission on the ride fare. The commission is typically around 18%–20% of the price paid by the passenger. The platform also earns money from premium services such as verified driver profiles, subscription plans, and partnerships with third-party companies.

What Are BlaBlaCar’s Key Features?

Key features of BlaBlaCar include:

• Ride Search and Booking: Passengers can search for rides based on location, dates, and preferences.
• Rating and Reviews: Both drivers and passengers can rate and leave reviews, promoting trust and safety within the community.
• Driver and Passenger Profiles: Detailed profiles that include photos, travel preferences, and ratings to help users make informed decisions.
• Secure Payment System: Payments are processed through BlaBlaCar's platform for security and convenience.
• Ride Sharing Guarantee: BlaBlaCar offers certain guarantees to ensure a safe and reliable ride-sharing experience.

What Makes BlaBlaCar Different from Traditional Ridesharing?

Unlike traditional ridesharing apps like Uber or Lyft, BlaBlaCar focuses on long-distance travel and carpooling. Passengers share rides with people going the same way, reducing travel costs and environmental impact. BlaBlaCar connects people traveling over longer distances, unlike local, point-to-point rides offered by other ridesharing companies.

How Does BlaBlaCar Ensure Safety for Passengers and Drivers?

BlaBlaCar takes safety seriously by implementing several measures:

• Driver Verification: BlaBlaCar verifies driver profiles through government-issued identification and phone number checks.
• Ratings and Reviews: Both passengers and drivers can rate each other, helping maintain a trustworthy community.
• 24/7 Support: BlaBlaCar offers customer support for any issues or disputes that arise during a ride.
• Security Features: BlaBlaCar provides a secure messaging system for communication before and during the ride to enhance privacy and safety.

How Can You Become a Driver on BlaBlaCar?

To become a driver on BlaBlaCar:

• Sign Up: Create an account on the BlaBlaCar platform (app or website).
• Create a Profile: Fill in your profile with your travel details, including car type, trip schedule, and travel preferences.
• Set Your Price: Set a fare for your ride based on the distance and your travel costs.
• Pick Passengers: Once your ride is listed, passengers can book a seat. You can choose who you want to travel with based on their profile and ratings.

What Are the Benefits of Using BlaBlaCar for Passengers?

Passengers can enjoy several benefits by using BlaBlaCar:

• Affordable Travel: Share the cost of long-distance travel with others, making trips more budget-friendly.
• Eco-Friendly: Carpooling reduces the number of vehicles on the road, leading to less pollution and lower carbon footprints.
• Convenient Travel: Book rides directly from your smartphone with ease and flexibility.
• Social Experience: Meet new people during your travels and enjoy a more social experience compared to traditional transport.

How Can You Start a Business Like BlaBlaCar?

To start a business like BlaBlaCar:

• Develop a Carpooling Platform: Create a user-friendly app or website where drivers and passengers can connect and arrange rides.
• Establish Trust: Implement driver verification systems and ratings to ensure safety and trust among users.
• Revenue Model: Develop a commission-based model, charging a fee from each ride booked on the platform.
• Marketing: Use digital marketing strategies to build brand awareness and attract users, focusing on affordability, convenience, and eco-friendliness.