The ride-hailing industry has revolutionized urban mobility, but not without its challenges. While consumers enjoy affordable rides and seamless booking experiences, drivers often shoulder the challenges of the trade-off. In Sweden, where the cost of living is high, many drivers working for major ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt have faced increasingly difficult conditions, from lower earnings per trip to rigid and punitive policies. We got in touch with Samual Nygren, Co-Founder of Fair, to discuss how a driver-first ride-hailing platform has emerged as a beacon of change.
Launch date: June 2023
Country: Sweden
App downloads: More than 20 000
App rating: 4.9/5
Web page: https://fairtaxi.se
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/se/app/fair-taxi/id6450279161
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fair.app
The origins of Fair: A movement born from protests
Fair’s story begins with a series of driver-led protests in Sweden a few years ago. Disillusioned by shrinking incomes and unfair practices, drivers took to the streets of Stockholm, blocking traffic with their cars and holding up signs to demand change. Among them was a group seeking to create a nonprofit organization to advocate for better conditions. The founders of Fair became involved through a personal connection, seeing the drivers' struggles firsthand and recognizing an opportunity to support their cause.
Initially approached to help develop a website for the organization, Fair’s founders quickly saw an opportunity to go beyond advocacy and create something actionable: a competitive, driver-focused ride-hailing service. This marked the birth of Fair, a platform designed not just to offer rides but to redefine what fairness looks like in the gig economy.
A fairer model: Drivers in the driver’s seat
At its core, Fair operates on the principle of empowerment. Unlike traditional platforms where drivers often feel like disposable assets, Fair positions drivers as majority stakeholders in the company. This means they have a say in how the platform operates and directly benefit from its success. Key features of Fair’s model include:
- Lower platform fees: By keeping fees as low as possible, Fair ensures drivers retain a larger share of their earnings.
- Generous terms: Unlike major platforms where declining too many ride requests can result in penalties or even bans, Fair’s policies are designed to accommodate the realities of drivers’ lives.
- Nonprofit principles: Fair’s nonprofit orientation underscores its commitment to prioritizing drivers over profits.
This model has resonated deeply with drivers in Stockholm, where Fair first launched. With the success of its pilot, the company is now expanding into smaller cities across Sweden, taking its mission of fairness to a broader audience.
Beyond rides: Advocating for labor rights
Fair’s mission extends beyond providing a ride-hailing service. It aims to shine a spotlight on the working conditions that gig economy workers face – not just in ride-hailing but also in food delivery and other sectors. Historically, Sweden has been a stronghold for labor rights and fair pay, but the gig economy’s precarious working conditions have exposed gaps in this framework.
By raising awareness and leading by example, Fair seeks to spark a broader conversation about fairness in the gig economy. Its success could pave the way for similar initiatives in other industries and countries.
Partnering with ATOM Mobility: A platform built for change
Fair’s innovative approach is supported by its partnership with ATOM Mobility, a technology platform that powers mobility businesses around the globe. Through this collaboration, Fair has been able to focus on what matters most – supporting drivers and redefining fairness – while leveraging ATOM Mobility’s expertise to handle the technical complexities of running a ride-hailing service.
ATOM Mobility provides the infrastructure that allows Fair to offer seamless booking experiences for users and operational efficiency for drivers. This partnership ensures that Fair’s resources are directed toward growth and advocacy, rather than reinventing the wheel technologically. By working together, Fair and ATOM Mobility demonstrate how technology and purpose-driven businesses can create lasting impact in the gig economy.
Looking ahead: Building a fairer future
While Fair is still growing, its impact is already evident. By putting drivers first and demonstrating that fairness and profitability can coexist, Fair is challenging the status quo of the gig economy. The platform’s expansion into smaller cities and its growing driver community are testaments to the demand for a more equitable alternative.
As Fair continues to scale, it stands as a powerful example of how even small players can drive meaningful change. With its driver-first principles and commitment to fairness, Fair isn’t just a ride-hailing platform – it’s a movement.
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In big cities, employees often want to avoid traffic and parking hassles, preferring an easier way to commute. Luckily, there are people ready to take on the challenge. Meet MOBEO – an innovative Spanish company that is not only transforming how we get around but also making corporate travel more exciting.
In big cities, employees often want to avoid traffic and parking hassles, preferring an easier way to commute. Luckily, there are people ready to take on the challenge. Meet MOBEO – an innovative Spanish company that is not only transforming how we get around but also making corporate travel more exciting.
We caught up with Álvaro Ventura, CEO of MOBEO, to get the inside scoop on how his company is creating corporate fleets and shaking up the world of business travel with a help from Atom Mobility.
Launch date: November 2023
Country: Spain
Web page: https://mobeosharing.com
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mobeoshare/id6469049276
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobeoshare.app&hl=en_AU
Fleet: bicycles (incl. conventional, hybrid, mountain, electric bikes), pedal karts, and bicycles
for people with reduced mobility.
From two wheels to many
With 12 years of experience in the tourism industry, the MOBEO team identified an opportunity to expand their business by leveraging resources from their existing projects. This vision led to the creation of MOBEOsharing.com, a platform designed to meet the growing demand for employee transportation services. Their ambitious goal? To become the leading provider of shared private fleets for European businesses within five years.
MOBEO’s journey began with a self-funded investment of 70,000 euros, which laid a strong foundation for their operations. However, the team quickly recognized that additional capital would be essential for rapid expansion. They are now actively seeking investments to accelerate their entry into the European market and to help achieve their bold vision.
What makes MOBEO special
MOBEO’s mission goes beyond simply providing vehicles; they aim to transform how companies approach transportation. MOBEO works closely with clients to run campaigns that encourage employees to adopt greener travel options instead of relying on cars. Their comprehensive services include digital awareness campaigns, personalized commuting routes, and team-building events focused on sustainable transportation.
As Ventura, a key figure in MOBEO, explains, “Some clients go all-in with our full package, while others might just want us to handle the wheels. It’s like a buffet—take what you need!”. This flexibility allows MOBEO to cater to companies of all sizes and budgets, making them a preferred choice for businesses looking to modernize their transportation strategies.
On the software side, MOBEO relies on ATOM Mobility's digital rental solution, which provides MOBEO users (employees of companies that MOBEO partners with) the opportunity to create an account in the MOBEO app, upload their employee ID card (allowing the MOBEO team to verify that the individual is indeed employed by the specific company), and, once verified, gain access and pre-book vehicles for upcoming rides. The MOBEO app also features a calendar function, enabling users to schedule future bookings as needed. At the end of the month, MOBEO bills partners based on the usage of vehicles by their employees. All vehicle monitoring, unlocking, and locking are automatically managed by the ATOM Mobility platform. It’s that simple.
Targeting clients
MOBEO is strategically expanding its presence by focusing on large companies with offices in major Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Seville. These cities are particularly well-suited for introducing shared mobility solutions due to their large employee bases and the strong demand for sustainable transport options. On average, an employee takes a vehicle for 1-2 days and rides 10-40 km per booking.
Partnering with ATOM Mobility
In 2019, MOBEO began with a small software provider that met their initial needs but lacked the capacity for growth. Recognizing the need for a more robust solution, MOBEO partnered with ATOM Mobility—a decision that proved pivotal for scaling their operations.
ATOM Mobility, a leader in shared mobility software solutions, is known for its comprehensive platform and exceptional customer service. Their software empowers businesses like MOBEO to manage fleets efficiently, offer seamless user experiences, and scale operations smoothly. MOBEO frequently encountered positive feedback about ATOM Mobility during hardware discussions, prompting them to explore and eventually adopt ATOM Mobility's services.
This partnership has been instrumental in MOBEO’s success, providing them with the tools and support necessary to expand and innovate in the competitive European market.
Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: Be ready!
For those looking to enter the shared mobility sector, Ventura offers sage advice: “This industry is going places, but it’s not a walk in the park. Good financial planning is key because regulatory changes are like a rollercoaster ride—you’ve got to hang on and adapt quickly.”
The future of success
MOBEO is setting new standards for corporate mobility, thanks to their innovative approach and strategic partnership with ATOM Mobility. Together, they are on track to revolutionize how businesses manage transportation in Spain.
As MOBEO continues to pioneer advancements in corporate mobility, their collaboration with ATOM Mobility remains a cornerstone of their success. With shared values and a commitment to innovation, MOBEO and ATOM Mobility are poised to lead the transformation of business transportation across Europe.
Electric car-sharing operator from Slovenia. Operates in 4 cities.
“We spent two years developing a car-sharing app in-house. And even after all our efforts it still wasn't half as good as ATOM Mobility's platform.” – Peter Mraz, GreenGo's Manager, shares how he found the perfect partner in ATOM Mobility.
Launch date: May 2021
Country: Slovenia, operates in 4 cities
Web page: https://greengo.city
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/greengo-by-t2/id1618782932
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=greengo.app
GreenGo is a green vehicle-sharing company based in Slovenia that currently focuses on electric cars.
The company's story is unique in that it's a project that spun out from its parent company T-2, d.o.o., a local telecom provider with over 400 employees. T-2's owner was enthusiastic about green mobility and set out to bring his vision to life – and succeeded. Today, you can find GreenGo's Renault Zoes and Twingos, Cupra Borns, and VW ID.3s in four cities – Ljubljana, Kranj, Trzin, and Logatec.
However, the man who's running the show is Peter Mraz, GreenGo's Manager. While he does enjoy access to the parent company's resources, Peter is single-handedly overseeing the entire project and responsible for its success.
“I do have backup from designers, legal, accounting and so on. And there are maybe 3-4 people who help manage the cars and maintenance. Everything else – it's on me. Thanks to ATOM Mobility, I have been able to manage everything from project start to launch pretty much on my own,” says Peter.
GreenGo's early challenges
Orginally, the idea was to develop the GreenGo car-sharing app in-house – a decision Peter grew to regret.
“It took us two years to develop the app. Even then, it did the job, but it wasn't perfect and it didn't quite go the way we wanted it to. And even after all our efforts it still wasn't half as good as ATOM Mobility's platform,” he shares.
Indeed, this ongoing struggle pushed GreenGo to explore alternative options on the market and, after some market research, they landed on ATOM Mobility. ATOM Mobility ticked their two most important checkboxes – it offered the core functionalities they required and offered fast time-to-market.
Originally“Once we made the switch, we launched in 3 months, though we did already have the cars at the ready, which certainly helped,” Peter continues.
Admittedly, ATOM Mobility didn't immediately fulfil all their needs.
“We had a very specific vision and requirements. ATOM Mobility was great, but didn't have everything we wanted when we started out. But the platform is evolving quickly. Their team develops something new every 2-3 months and it's very good for us. Since they develop for other companies, too, we also benefit from the updates. Now, ATOM Mobility has everything we need and more,” Peter says.
Still, early on, GreenGo were facing an uphill battle with fierce competition. Slovenia already had one high-profile electric car-sharing company that had established itself in the market, had more experience, and was well-respected among its customers and the general public.
What was GreenGo's strategy for finding a foothold in the ecosystem?
A brilliant idea for entering a busy market
GreenGo carved out its market share by leveraging a strategic partnership with Slovenian Railways.
“You see, a lot of tourists arrive in Ljubljana and other cities by train. Either internationally or from the airport. So we started off by placing our vehicles in railway stations, allowing us to be the easy choice top of mind for anyone arriving in the city,” Peter explains.
To further improve convenience for potential customers, GreenGo integrated ATOM Mobility with a local MaaS platform. This allowed people to purchase credits for GreenGo's car-sharing app through the city's own mobility solution.
Not only did this solidify GreenGo as the most accessible solution for any tourist who used the city's app to buy a train ticket, it also connected it to all the local residents that use the city's mobility app in their day-to-day.
Now, you'll find GreenGo in four cities and their customers love them, as suggested by the high app ratings and continuous positive feedback.
In most of the cities, they're using a station based model – where the cars need to be picked up and returned at certain points. However, in the capital they're currently running a hybrid model featuring both free-floating and station-based vehicle sharing.
GreenGo expects to have to switch to a fully station-based model in Ljubljana, too, as the city is pulling the brakes on free-floating vehicle sharing. But they're not too fussed, as this model is easier to manage and can be a better choice for a still-up-and-coming company.
Looking to the future – more vehicle types and a focus on B2B
As any company, GreenGo is eyeing growth and expansion.
“Our vision is to become a leading force in the sharing economy,” Peter highlights.
Expanding their fleet with different types of vehicles, specifically – electric micromobility solutions – is one of the avenues GreenGo is exploring.
In terms of business development, GreenGo has an interesting strategy for the upcoming year, namely, focusing on expanding into the business-to-business (B2B) segment with corporate sharing schemes.
“With B2C, you need a lot of cars, a lot of investment. Electric vehicles are very capital intensive, which poses challenges for a growing company. B2B offers the opportunity to make the maximum from your existing fleet, which will allow B2C expansion later on. Plus, we already have a sort of successful B2B pilot project under our belts,” says Peter, referring to a corporate sharing scheme they launched with their very own parent company.
They made four cars available to T-2 employees, which they can take out under certain conditions and packages for a few hours, a day, or a weekend. This sharing scheme proved to be very popular among employees, and Peter is certain other large companies will also be keen to test out this modern benefit for their workers.
With some ups and downs, GreenGo is steadily carving out its spot in the market.
What would Peter do differently if he had to do it all over again?
“Choose ATOM Mobility from day 1 and save everyone a lot of headaches and resources,” he laughs. “But, seriously, the time-to-market is so fast, I think you could launch a mobility company from zero in one month.”