How profitable is scooter sharing business?
March 7, 2020
min. read
The mobile sharing industry is projected to grow at a rapid rate over the next several years. The economic shift towards micro mobility has shown that bike and scooter use is going to grow from USD $2.5 billion in 2019 to USD $10.1 billion by 2027. With an increasing demand for affordable mobility services, industry leaders are making adjustments to their financial models to accommodate changing regulations, as well as, growing production costs.
We put together a breakdown of the expenses that are currently going in to establishing a profitable MaaS company along with some other considerations to keep in mind.
What are the current pricing levels for leaders in Scooter and Bike Sharing?
The pricing levels for different services being offered around the world vary based upon initial upfront costs, cost per allotted time and total ride duration. These prices are also subject to change depending on the regulatory requirements of each location.
Scooter sharing:
Bike sharing:
At ATOM Mobility we have a specific calculation to determine the total income a scooter or bike sharing service makes based on ride time and pricing fees. This allows adjustments to be made for the different price levels each company offers.
Income Equation: (Unlock Fee + (Average Ride Time X Minutes)) = x
x = Average Price per Ride
How does vehicle ridership impact the financial model?
Ridership is impacted by a multitude of factors, including availability to travel lanes, density of charging/docking stations, level of integration within the overall transportation network, along with the extent of rider outreach and vendor education. Vehicle use rates tend to increase based on volume of available scooters/bikes and ease of access to stations. The systems with larger fleets, as well as wider spread sharing infrastructure tend to experience higher ridership.
According to research conducted by the National Association of City Transportation Officials, scooters are making up to two times more rides per vehicle per day compared to bikes. Bike services complete anywhere from 0.5 to 2.5 rides per day at an average of 1, with trends showing a shift away from traditional pedal bicycles as the interest in e-vehicles continues to grow.
Image source: nacto.org
The region where services are being offered can also influence ridership. Across our partners at ATOM Mobility for scooters, we are seeing from 1.8 to even 5 rides per vehicle per day, with even higher rates in colder regions where the proper infrastructure is in place.
Image source: City of Chicago, E-scooter Pilot Evaluation
An evaluation of the City of Chicago’s E-scooter pilot program found that over time the number of trips per day decreased from an average of 3.7 to 2.5. This aligns with the seasonality of mobility vehicles, which has been proven to impact ridership. Our research found that there can be decreases between 30 to 50 percent during the off-season.
The average rides per day you can count on for bike sharing services is 0.5 to 2.5, and 1.8 to 5 for scooter sharing services.
What additional factors need to be taken into consideration?
Once we have determined how many rides are being taken and the average price, we can calculate the average income per vehicle per month and outline cost positions. To begin growing revenue, mobility companies need to determine ways to extend the lifespan of their vehicles or off-set the costs once the limit is met. These factors are a major component in developing a successful financial model. In addition, it’s important to review the other expenses that impact vehicle maintenance and usage when constructing an accurate forecast.
Seasonality
Seasonality refers to the time of year a service operates as a result of environmental or weather factors. For mobility services, the usage season usually begins when the average temperature in a month is +10 Celsius or more.
Rides Per Vehicle Per Day
The number of rides each vehicle is taking in a day will impact both revenue but also maintenance and lifespan costs.
Rides
The rate for each ride will need to be considered when developing an overall financial plan for a company.
Maintenance Costs (ex. 13 percent of cost per ride)
Maintenance of the vehicle fleets is required and may vary depending on usage, as well as vehicle model.
Charging Costs (ex. 21 percent of cost per ride)
Whether the fleet uses docking stations or offers free floating services, the cost of charging the vehicles is necessary for continued use.
Bank Commission (ex. 3 percent cost per ride)
This includes any of the banking fees that are acquired.
Marketing (ex. 4 percent cost per ride)
Promoting the services being offered is an essential expense for business growth and expansion within the market.
Customer Support (ex. 5 percent cost per ride)
Most mobility services are offered through mobile apps that require regular support from customer service representatives to resolve customer inquiries and help with reputation management for the company.
IT System Support (ex. 5 percent cost per ride)
These services include IoT systems, sim cards, data, software and other technological requirements needed for the vehicles to operate.
Additional Costs (ex. 3 percent cost per ride)
Mobility companies like any other vehicle service are subject to additional costs such as insurance, city permits and/or other resources.
Our Excel-based Model
To help determine the overall impact of fluctuating costs for scooter and bike services, we developed a financial model that breaks down costs based on a percentage. Through this Excel-based Model we are able to maintain a proportionate evaluation of the expenses for each service.
source: ATOM Mobility
To make calculations we assume an average ride time of 20 minutes then apply that to our Excel-based Model. Costs are shown as a percent from the ride price. Since cost and prices differ country by country, this model allows for the proportions to remain the same. For accurate forecast planning, we recommend using the average of two to four rides per vehicle per day on a period of wholesale. To learn more about our model, please email us.
Where do we go from here?
Mobility as a service is expected to continue growing as additional opportunities for expansion and profitability open in the market. At ATOM Mobility, we want to help your business thrive in the exciting new world of transportation services. There has not been a better time to join other industry leaders than right now. Reach out to us today so we can start building for the future, starting with our scooter sharing software.
Interested in launching your own mobility platform?
Click below to learn more or request a demo.
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7 proven ways to boost your car sharing ratings
🚗 Want to keep your car sharing ratings high? Customers expect reliability, transparency, and great service - and their reviews reflect it. From AI-powered photo verification to seamless IoT connectivity, here are 7 game-changing solutions to improve your ratings and build trust with your users.
March 25, 2025
min. read
Car sharing can be a tough business. Your fleet is constantly in motion, customers have high expectations, and every review can impact your reputation. The difference between a good business and one that struggles often comes down to customer satisfaction – and that means keeping your ratings high.
So, what are the best ways to improve ratings in car sharing? Here are some smart solutions that can make a real impact.
1. AI-powered photo verification to prevent surprises
No one likes picking up a car and finding it scratched, dented, or dirty. AI-powered photo verification helps prevent these problems before they affect your ratings. The system ensures that users take proper photos before and after their ride. If a car is parked badly or a photo doesn’t show the vehicle correctly, the system flags it. This reduces disputes, increases accountability, and improves overall service quality.
Users also feel more secure knowing that they won’t be held accountable for damage they didn’t cause. This small step significantly improves trust in your service, which in turn helps maintain higher ratings over time.
Want to integrate this? Check out how ATOM Mobility supports smart integrations.
2. Customer support that actually helps
Fast and effective customer support is a game changer. Users expect quick answers, especially when they’re locked out of a car or facing a technical issue. Integrating tools like Zendesk, Intercom, or Mavenoid provides live chat, automated AI-powered answers, FAQs, and even emoji-based responses to make communication smoother. Happy customers leave better ratings – it’s that simple.
A great support system also means fewer negative reviews, as frustrated users are less likely to vent online when they can quickly get the help they need. Plus, automated FAQs help users solve minor issues on their own without waiting for a response.
3. Great IoT connectivity for a better experience
A smooth, uninterrupted experience is one of the biggest factors in user satisfaction. Vehicle connectivity solutions ensure that cars are always accessible when needed. Imagine a user trying to unlock a car, but the IoT lags or the car doesn’t respond. Frustrating, right? Integrating reliable IoT solutions minimizes these issues, making your service more dependable. ATOM Mobility supports a wide range of IoT modules like Teltonika, Geotab, INVERS and several others. This means your fleet remains connected, responsive, and reliable no matter what car models you have in your fleet.
A connected fleet also allows operators to quickly detect vehicle malfunctions, battery levels, and maintenance needs, ensuring cars remain in top condition before issues escalate.
See how seamless connectivity makes car sharing better.
4. Let users rate their ride
Giving customers a voice is essential. By allowing them to rate their ride, you get valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not. Did they like the cleanliness? Was the car easy to access? Was the trip smooth? This data helps you adjust and improve, keeping your service top-notch. Plus, users appreciate being heard, which encourages them to leave better reviews.
Encouraging feedback also lets you identify problem areas before they turn into frequent complaints. A proactive approach keeps customers engaged and boosts loyalty.
5. Clear and simple pricing
Surprise fees are a surefire way to get bad ratings. Users want transparency when it comes to pricing. Make sure your app clearly displays all costs upfront, including any deposits, insurance fees, or extra charges. Simple and honest pricing leads to trust, and trust leads to better reviews.
It also helps to offer clear explanations of what happens in case of late returns, damages, or toll fees. When users know what to expect, they’re less likely to be upset when additional charges apply.
6. Keep your fleet in top shape with preventive maintenance
It might sound obvious, but maintaining your vehicles properly is a huge factor in customer satisfaction. No one wants to deal with a car that smells weird, has a flat tire, or makes strange noises. Regular inspections, automated maintenance tracking, and in-app damage reporting help keep your fleet in top condition. Implementing task automation can further improve fleet maintenance, ensuring vehicles are always in optimal condition with minimal manual intervention. Well-maintained cars, happy customers, higher ratings.
Adding small touches like air fresheners, charging cables, and regular interior cleaning can elevate the user experience. Even if a vehicle is a few years old, good upkeep makes all the difference in perception.
7. All-in-one dashboard for smarter management
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. An advanced dashboard lets you track vehicle performance, monitor customer feedback, and optimize operations in one place. ATOM Mobility’s dashboard solution provides detailed analytics, helping you stay on top of issues before they affect your ratings.
By leveraging data insights, operators can identify peak rental times, adjust pricing models, and plan fleet expansions accordingly. A well-optimized system keeps operations efficient and users satisfied. Additionally, vehicle damage management helps customers easily report damages, allowing operators to address issues faster and improve overall service quality.
Improving your car sharing ratings isn’t rocket science, but it does require the right tools. By integrating AI-powered photo verification, enhancing customer support, ensuring seamless connectivity, and keeping your fleet well-maintained, you can significantly boost user satisfaction. And when customers are happy, your ratings – and your business – will thrive.
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Sign-up made easy: ATOM Mobility adds Apple and Google login options
At ATOM Mobility, we’re always looking for ways to improve the user experience. One of the most requested features from our customers has been alternative login options. And now, we’re happy to announce that Apple and Google sign-in options are finally here!
March 11, 2025
min. read
Why is this important?
Most mobile apps rely on phone number verification for sign-ups and logins. This is also the case for ATOM Mobility, where users verify their phone number using a One-Time Password (OTP). We use trusted partners like Twilio, Dexatel, and others to ensure secure phone verification. Big companies like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive also follow this method because it helps prevent fraud and unauthorized access.
However, we know that not everyone wants to use their phone number every time they log in. Some users prefer quicker options, especially if they’re alreadyuse Apple or Google on their devices. That’s why we’ve now added these alternatives.
The popularity of Apple & Google sign-in
According to global data, a significant number of people prefer logging in with their existing accounts rather than typing in a phone number. Research shows that about 60-80% of users choose social logins if given the option. That’s a huge number! By adding Apple and Google login, we’re making it even easier for users to sign up and start using your app instantly.
Many popular apps and platforms already offer these sign-in options because they reduce the time it takes for users to access services. The fewer steps involved, the more likely users are to complete registration rather than abandoning the process midway. For businesses, this translates to higher conversion rates and more engaged users.
What this means for your business
Adding Apple and Google login options isn’t just about convenience. It has real benefits for operators as well:
- Fewer support tickets – Phone number verification can sometimes fail due to network issues, wrong numbers, or SMS delays. With Apple and Google sign-ins, users can skip these problems entirely.
- Better user experience – The easier it is to sign up, the more likely users are to complete registration and start using the service.
- More successful registrations – Reducing friction at the sign-up stage means more people will complete the process, leading to higher conversion rates.
- Higher user retention – If signing in is fast and easy, users are more likely to return rather than be discouraged by a slow login process.
Security considerations
It’s important to note that phone number verification still plays a big role in fraud prevention. If users sign in without verifying their number, there’s a higher risk of fake accounts. That’s why we’re keeping the OTP method as the default while offering Apple and Google login as an alternative.
Many companies, including ATOM Mobility, prioritize fraud prevention. While Apple and Google sign-in reduce the risk of failed logins, they also require additional monitoring to ensure that the platform remains secure. Implementing fraud detection measures alongside these sign-in options can help maintain a balance between user convenience and platform security.
How it works
The updated login screen will now include Apple and Google sign-in buttons alongside the phone number option. Users can choose their preferred method, making the process faster and more flexible.
If you are an ATOM Mobility customer, enabling this feature in your app settings is simple. Once activated, users will see the Apple and Google login buttons immediately when they open the app. This small but powerful change can lead to more completed registrations and a smoother onboarding experience.
What’s next?
This is just one of the many improvements we’re bringing to ATOM Mobility. We’re constantly working on new features to enhance the user experience and streamline operations. Check out our other top features:
- Integrations – Connect with various third-party services like Zendesk, Intercom, and Mavenoid to improve customer support.
- Connectivity – Our platform supports multiple IoT devices and vehicle models, ensuring seamless operation.
- Dashboard – Manage your fleet and users efficiently with a feature-packed admin panel.
Future possibilities
At ATOM Mobility, we believe in continuous innovation. Now that Apple and Google login options are live, we are exploring other ways to simplify user access and improve security. Some potential future developments include:
- Biometric authentication – Using Face ID or fingerprint scanning for even faster logins.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) – Adding an extra layer of security for high-value users.
With Apple and Google login now available, signing up for ATOM Mobility-powered apps is easier than ever. Whether users prefer OTP verification or a simple one-tap login, they now have more choices. This update is all about making the experience smoother and increasing the number of successful registrations.
If you’re an ATOM Mobility customer, make sure to enable this feature and give your users the flexibility they want. And if you need any help, feel free to reach out to our team!
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to improve the platform!
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
