Mobility of the future
Ridepooling conquers Zurich
15.05.2023
Stranded in Zurich in the evening with no bus or tram in sight? No problem! Night owls can now get about sustainably and conveniently courtesy of a professional mobility service called i&any. And lessen pressure on their wallet by sharing rides.
The opera’s come to an end, the party’s over – or maybe the bag full of ingredients for tonight’s communal supper’s just too heavy? People often need a convenient and cost-effective alternative to public transport in the evening and late at night. Once the buses and trams stop running, they resort to hailing taxis or calling an Uber-type service and travelling alone. But why not share the ride with other people to protect the environment and save money? This concept is now being implemented by Mobility’s sub-brand i&any – initially in the city of Zurich.
People can now not only share rides, but also benefit from a professional driving service based on car sharing specialist Mobility’s electric cars. This ridepooling scheme operates every Thursday to Saturday from 6 pm through to 4 am, i.e. when it’s most needed.
So what’s ridepooling?
The portmanteau word is composed of the American term “ride”, meaning journey, and “pooling”, referring to a pool of several passengers. If you choose the i&any service, you don’t travel alone, but with others who have to travel in the same direction. Journeys are shared and as many seats as possible are occupied in one car. This type of mobility already exists in some European cities – and now Zurich. Sharing saves money: In terms of price, you are within the range of other ride services or even below. Another advantage is that the pre-determined price applies even if there is a sudden traffic jam or diversion.
How does it work?
It’s very simple: You can use the app to book electric vehicles to get from A to B. The professional driver picks up passengers at virtual stops dotted throughout the city of Zurich. If other people are going the same or a similar way, they get picked up along the route. Perfect for getting to know like-minded people: “We appeal to everyone who is out and about in Zurich city centre in the evenings and at night,” says Franziska Schär, product manager at i&any. What they all have in common: “These are people who want to get from A to B flexibly, sustainably and fairly.”
Cars used for Mobility’s car sharing during the day
Through pooled rides, e-vehicles and fair working conditions for drivers, i&any is making a useful contribution to the quality of life and sustainability of the city of the future. This way of complementing public transport and the private car helps reduce congestion and emissions. i&any uses only electric vehicles powered by green electricity – the ones made available to Mobility car sharing customers during the day. This means that all cars are used to perfection.
Intelligent algorithms coordinate the bookings and ensure that drivers are shown the most efficient route. The system also keeps empty running and downtime to a minimum. The fact is that boarding with strangers has never been so safe or so meaningful.
Further information is available at: www.iandany.ch
What makes it special? Three benefits at a glance
Pooled rides, e-vehicles, fair working conditions for employed drivers – i&any by Mobility helps drive sustainable mobility in the city.
Eco-friendly: Shared journeys in a Mobility e-car.
Fair: the drivers are employed through Mobility and receive fair pay and comprehensive social benefits.
Cost-effective: cheaper than a taxi. What’s more, the journey makes the price. Only what has been stated before is paid. Even in traffic jams.