For those wondering if Lyft would enter the European market, well, it finally has, as they are going to purchase ride-hailing platform FREENOW.
FREENOW will continue operating as it does today, with its talented leadership team and employees in place to drive growth across 9 countries and over 150 cities across Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, France, and Austria.
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.
The move marks Lyft’s desire to grow outside North America and, in theory, double Lyft’s market.
A different method
FREENOW brings European taxi expertise, fleet technology and strong relationships with regulators, unions and taxi fleet operators in every market (as opposed to the traditional ride-share style services). It also brings other mobility connectivity too, such as bikes and scooter hire.
Taxis accounted for approximately 90% of FREENOW’s Gross Bookings in 2024 and will continue to be the backbone of FREENOW’s business.
According to Lyft, the business models are complementary and together will serve over 50 million combined annual riders
In Quotes
FREENOW CEO Thomas Zimmermann said:
“Joining forces with Lyft is a powerful step forward for FREENOW and marks the beginning of an ambitious new phase—one where we strengthen our role as a leading force in European mobility,”
“Lyft’s strong, customer-first track record aligns perfectly with our deep roots in the taxi industry, and together we will push boundaries and raise expectations for fleet owners, taxi drivers, and riders across the continent. We stand with the industry—not above it—and remain proud partners of the community. This collaboration is about combining our strengths, learning from each other, and scaling what works best. We sincerely thank our former shareholders for their trust and enduring partnership throughout the years.”
David Risher, CEO of Lyft, added:
“We’re on an ambitious path to build the best, most customer-obsessed mobility platform in the world, and entering Europe is an important step in our growth journey,” said
“We found the perfect partner in FREENOW and can learn a lot from the team. FREENOW’s local-first approach mirrors Lyft’s values and embodies our purpose — to serve and connect.”
What’s next
While there will be no immediate changes to FREENOW’s customer experience, over time, new benefits will be made available to FREENOW drivers and riders.
For drivers in many markets, that may look like more transparency around their earnings, such as when to expect incentives and real-time information on the best times to drive.
For riders, that may look like more consistent pricing, faster matching, and new features and modes. The companies will also focus on integration for riders to seamlessly use either app across the Atlantic, whether they’re in North America or Europe.
In a message to their users, FREENOW said:
Your FREENOW app will continue to work just as you know it today — same app and experience and the same team supporting you.
But here’s the best part: Together with Lyft, we’re going to make your rides even better! That means things like faster and more reliable ride matching, expanded operational zones and new features designed with drivers and riders in mind.
What makes this such a great fit is the shared commitment to putting people first. Lyft brings deep expertise in building customer-first technology at scale, while FREENOW brings decades of taxi know-how and strong local roots. Together, we’re combining the best of both worlds to serve you even better.
Over time, we will focus on integration for riders to seamlessly use either app across the Atlantic, whether they’re in North America or Europe.
An interesting move
I’ve been wondering for some time if Lyft was going to make a move in Europe, or if they were going to move on other platforms (such as Veezu, Bolt or Ola).
It seems they’ve gone for the takeover option by buying out FREENOW, which deals more with licensed taxi holders and traditional taxis than with rideshares (depending on the city and region).
This could get interesting, fast.
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