Car sharing service, BlaBlaCar is to expand its reach across Europe entering no less than five new countries; Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal.
First launched in Paris in 2006, the company’s long-distance ride-sharing network now operates in nine countries across Europe including the UK.
As part of the launch in Poland, BlaBlaCar joins forces with with Superdojazd, a local car sharing network in the process of launching, and opening an office in Warsaw. Piotr Jás, who will manage BlaBlaCar Poland and lead its expansion in the country, founded Superdojazd in 2012. Strategically significant, this move marks BlaBlaCar’s first foray into Eastern Europe.
The service has also launched a new version of its website to make it easier to use for customers in all its operating countries. The BlaBlaCar.com website works by connecting drivers with seats to spare in their car with passengers looking to share the cost of car travel (more details in the video above).
Changes to the website include faster sign up and more sophisticated search, language and currency functionality. New trust and transparency features include an improved ratings system for drivers and mandatory phone number verification.
Nicolas Brusson, Co-founder and COO of BlaBlaCar, said: “Our expansion into five new countries simply made sense given the significant traction and demand we were seeing from our community. More than 400,000 people share long-distance journeys on BlaBlaCar every month, which average 342 kilometres each. We are widening the geographic scope available to them, as well as providing a new travel option to a larger number of people. We are particularly pleased to welcome Superdojazd into the BlaBlaCar fold and to be able to build on their work in Poland.”
BlaBlaCar’s expansion comes at a time when its numbers continue to skyrocket. As of September 2012 there were 2.4 million members and a new member signs up every 23.5 seconds.
Faye has been writing about cars and environmental issues since 2007. A suspected eco-warrior working on the corporate inside, Faye mainly likes the weird, quirky vehicles that show a distinct environmental advantage. Her ideal car has enough room to fit a bale of hay in the boot. When not working, she likes nothing better than to head out on her bicycle and explore the countryside.
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