BlaBlaCar

Paris-based BlaBlaCar operates a carpooling service that matches drivers with excess seating to passengers in need of a ride, typically over a distance of 300 km (~186 miles). Riders can search for their desired trip and pay the driver in cash once the ride is complete, while drivers receive bookings by posting their journey details, vehicle information, and the per-rider cost. The per-ride cost is capped by BlaBlaCar on the trip cost to prevent car owners from making a profit. It also offers a carpooling marketplace for daily commutes between users’ homes and workplaces, called BlaBlaLines.

BlaBlaCar generates revenue through transaction fees, equaling 10–12% of the total ride cost. BlaBlaCar claims to be the world's leading community-based travel network, with more than 104 million members across 21 countries (September 2024).

BlaBlaCar has made more than 10 acquisitions to bolster its carpooling offering, with the most notable acquisitions including that of French carpooling providers, Carpooling.com (2015) and Less (April 2018), and Russian provider, BeepCar (August 2018). BlaBlaCar ventured into bus rides by launching BlaBlaBus following the acquisition of Ouibus, the bus division of France’s national railway company, SNCF, in November 2018. Other acquisitions include bus-ticketing platforms, Octobus (April 2021) and Busfor (September 2019).

Key customers and partnerships

In September 2021, BlaBlaCar teamed up with Swiss Re and L'olivier Assurance, a French motor insurance expert under Admiral Group, to launch BlaBlaCar Coach, which is a smartphone app that provides drivers with customized guidance and advice for safer driving and comes with an annual car insurance policy. Other partners include French multinational insurance company, AXA, and scooter startup, Voi.