Lyft has announced today (31.7.2025) the completion of Freenow’s acquisition, creating one of the world’s top multiple mobility applications.
The purpose of Lyft is to serve and connect people. With common values and a strong customer -centric approach, Lyft and Freenow are joining forces to take advantage of a huge opportunity to double today’s Lyft’s potential market, surpassing the 300 billion personal routes by vehicle annually.
- The Lyft app has 4.6 million openings in Freenow’s markets since early 2024.
- The Freenow application has 1.2 million openings in Lyft’s markets since early 2024.
“Every discussion I had with Freenow’s affiliated drivers and members of her team reminded me of why we are doing this job: why travel changes the lives,” said Lyft CEO David Risher. “It’s not just about the development of our company. But to serve and connect people all over the world. “
“We do not change what makes Freenow special – our strong local relations throughout Europe – but we are boosting it,” said Freenow CEO Thomas Zimmermann. “With Lyft’s platform and resources on our side, we have the opportunity to innovate faster, offering even better services to drivers, passengers and partners.”
What follows for passengers
– Welcome to up to 50% off on the first route: From today and to the end of 2025, Lyft users will receive a welcome gift for their first Freenow route and eligible users of Freenow will receive a welcome gift for their first Lyft route when crossing the Atlantic.
- Freenow User support in the US and Canada: Freenow’s application now motivates users to download the Lyft app when they open it to the United States and Canada.
- Lyft users support in Europe: The Lyft application now motivates users to download the Freenow app when they open it to one of Freenow’s 180 cities in nine European countries.
– Over time, Lyft and Freenow users will be able to use both applications.
– Chase privileges: Eligible Chase credit card holders will begin to automatically earn rewards on eligible routes in Europe when using their relevant card for payment.
– Better User experience: In the coming months, European users will enjoy more accurate assessment of factions, faster service, new features, and in some markets, additional travel options.
What follows for drivers
- More passengers, more routes: with Lyft passengers preferring the application to Europe, drivers can wait for more routes, and the same applies to drivers in North America.
- Commitment to the European Taxi Sector: Although about 50% of taxi bookings in Europe are still in the traditional market, demand for online services is constantly increasing. Lyft remains committed to reinforcing Freenow’s leadership position in the taxi sector, with over 150,000 cooperative drivers, years of partnerships with regulators, institutions, owners and taxi fleet managers.
- Drivers in the US prefer Lyft: in the United States, drivers prefer Lyft to its basic competitor, with a difference of 29 percentage points, from the second quarter of 2025.
What follows for companies
The Lyft and Freenow teams will work together to combine the best elements of the two companies in the Lyft world ecosystem. All actions will be guided by a clear purpose and a steady commitment to customers’ needs, offering essential benefits to both passengers and drivers.
Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of Freenow and his leadership team will be reported to Jeremy Bird, EVP of Lyft’s Driver Experience. Freenow’s CEOs will continue to lead market strategies in Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, France and Austria. “As we expand internationally, our customer -centric attitude will not change. This is also one of the elements that made Freenow such an appropriate choice, “said Jeremy Bird, Lyft’s Driver Experience. “Our consolidation strategy is based on respect for what has made Freenow successful – its talented team, the unique needs of every local market and the relationships with the owners and fleet managers, taxi drivers and passengers throughout Epirus. Utilizing and enhancing these strengths, we lay the foundations for long -term and sustainable development, as well as an improved experience for both drivers and passengers. “
Lyft and Freenow will begin to work together to develop new functions for passengers and drivers worldwide.
The acquisition will not affect the financial results of the second quarter of Lyft.
New global footprint
Lyft now provides Rideshare and taxi travel services in 11 countries and nearly 1,000 cities, while Lyft Urban Solutions supports bicycle sharing programs in 16 countries and over 86 cities. Since April 2025:
- Lyft launched Rideshare services in Puerto Rico and expanded her presence in Canada, adding new cities to Quebec.
- Lyft Urban Solutions expanded Bikeshare services in Miami, Florida, Bilbao and Riva, Spain.
- Freenow expanded to 30 new cities in four countries in Europe and is now available in over 180 cities