After Daily, Blablacar is launching Zen, a new carpooling offer for short and medium journeys. Available since Thursday in ten French territories, it aims to fill a gap in the shared mobility offer. It is particularly aimed at users who need to go to the station, go shopping, or travel to tourist destinations such as the beach. These journeys, which did not fit perfectly with the traditional Blablacar model, now find their place in the platform’s ecosystem.
A more flexible offer
The particularity of Zen lies in its time flexibility. Unlike the main Blablacar app, where schedules are generally fixed, Zen allows drivers and passengers to specify wider time slots for their trips. This flexibility is essential for short trips, where planning in advance is not always possible or desirable.
The operation of the application is based on an intelligent algorithm which connects drivers and passengers whose journeys are compatible. Priority is given to drivers for whom the detour is the least restrictive, thus optimizing the efficiency of carpooling. This approach aims to maximize the chances of finding a route that meets everyone’s needs, while minimizing inconvenience for drivers.
“The idea is to have more frequency on shorter journeys, with another promise, which is that of door-to-door” explains Nicolas Brusson, CEO of Blablaca. Because this is what is most problematic in the carpooling offer. Before Zen, users were forced to meet at meeting points. This sometimes required passengers to take their cars to this meeting point. With Zen, the driver can go directly to the passenger door and place it on a specific point. The algorithm is responsible for identifying the best profiles according to each need so as not to constrain the driver too much. The latter is of course rewarded for the “inconvenience caused”.
New economic model
Zen’s business model differs from that of the main Blablacar application. To encourage drivers to accept detours on shorter journeys, the financial contribution of passengers is increased. Blablacar, however, ensures that prices remain below the mileage scale set by the State for professional expenses, i.e. around 0.60 euros per kilometer.
This higher pricing is justified by the very nature of the journeys offered. For example, a one-hour journey between Vannes and Quiberon is estimated at 35 euros on Zen. This price, which may seem significant for carpooling, is explained by the reservation of all available seats in the vehicle by the passenger. This approach aims to reward the driver for their flexibility and the door-to-door service offered.
Blablacar’s strategy with Zen is clear: capture a share of the short trip market which had previously escaped the platform. Nicolas Brusson explains that this will allow “to find those kilometers that were not on the platform until now” And “to increase the frequency of use of our existing users”. It is therefore a double opportunity for the company: to expand its user base and retain its current clientele.
Already available in ten territories
The app is currently available in ten territories carefully selected, including the Côte de Nacre in Normandy, the Pays Nantes, the Landes Coast, the Médoc, the Basque Country, Hérault and Western Provence. These areas were chosen for their potential in terms of mobility demand and their adequacy with the concept of Zen.
Obviously, the arrival of such a service raises the question of competition with VTC and taxi services. Nicolas Brusson affirms that Zen will mainly target low-density areas and journeys from SNCF stations, where the supply of taxis and VTCs is often limited. This approach could allow Blablacar to position itself as a complement rather than a direct competitor to existing transport services.
The launch of Zen is timely. Indeed, after a big post-Covid period, carpooling is struggling to find new fans. According to the Vinci Autoroutes barometer, the practice of carpooling is declining in many areas of the country. The Daily offer has indeed provided new impetus, but it remains insufficient for short journeys other than home-work. It remains to be seen whether Zen will be able to breathe new life into carpooling.
- Blablacar launches Zen, a carpooling application for short journeys (30-100 km)
- The app offers more schedule flexibility and door-to-door service, with higher rewards for drivers
- Available in 10 French territories, Zen aims to complete the mobility offer in less served areas
