BlaBlaCar, the international long-distance ride-sharing platform, has had astounding growth these past few years in India. With over 20 million passengers served this year, it was up almost 50% from last year. The platform claims 1.1 million monthly active users and saw a high mark of about 1.5 million in early August. More importantly, it has ingrained itself as a crucial alternative in the Indian transportation ecosystem.
Over three-fourths (78%) of users are now ages 18-34. This further demonstrates that the platform appeals to younger demographics who are more actively seeking out affordable and practical travel options. With great fanfare, BlaBlaCar recently announced its millionth user in India. This country makes up an integral part of the company’s global operations, making up for around one-third of its global carpool passengers. And indeed, the global passenger count will likely increase to over 150 million this year. This huge increase is a testament to BlaBlaCar’s bold dedication to growing in India.
The platform is a success because it has tailored its platform to the specific needs and preferences of Indian consumers. One standout feature is the so-called “meeting-point logic,” which makes coordinating pickups easy for drivers and passengers alike. This change is a reflection of BlaBlaCar’s local knowledge of commuters’ behaviors and preferences.
To instill even more security into the experience, BlaBlaCar has introduced an ID Check feature in India, using government-issued documents to confirm users’ identities. This initiative is one component of a broader trust and safety framework designed to breed confidence among our user community.
“ID verification is just one part of our broader trust and safety framework; we don’t rely on a single feature, but on multiple, layered mechanisms that work together to build confidence within our community.” – BlaBlaCar representative
Drivers’ financial incentives have played a big role in BlaBlaCar’s success in India too. Across the country, drivers make an average of ₹390 (~$4) for every seat they complete. In August alone, these drivers netted more than ₹713 million (about $8 million) among them. The average trip distance is 180 kilometers, which makes carpooling more appealing than many other transportation systems.
India’s huge and very popular intercity routes are a big factor in BlaBlaCar’s success. Over 50 percent of all passenger trips occur on the 15 largest intercity corridors in the country! Typical trips are Pune to Thane and Pune to Nashik in Maharashtra state, and Bengaluru to Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh.
Even with this growth, it is likely that BlaBlaCar hardly, if at all, breaks even on its Indian operations. As with TikTok, the company continues to prioritize engagement over short-term profit-making.
“We are in no hurry to start introducing a fee or generating revenue in India. We are focused on generating usage, and we have the playback because we’ve done that in several markets,” – Nicolas Brusson, co-founder and CEO of BlaBlaCar
The mobile app is still the main channel for BlaBlaCar’s business in India, representing 95% of all activity. This mobile-centric approach not only meets the expectations of tech-savvy users, but caters to those who prioritize seamless digital interactions over conventional booking processes.
BlaBlaCar is already in implementation mode, having just opened a local office in India. This effort is part of a broader effort to strengthen its visibility and become more user-focused. The company anticipates making its first hire by the end of this year or early next year, which could further enhance its operational capabilities in the region.
With that explosive growth comes the need for user verification and safety features, which BlaBlaCar has been using to build trust and attract more users. The company vigorously incentivizes its members to go through each verification process. Profiles that are fully verified get over 7 times the number of bookings as unverified profiles without these components.
“We actively encourage members to complete all verification steps, as fully verified profiles — with photo and ID — significantly increase the chances of finding carpoolers. Profiles lacking these elements tend to receive fewer bookings,” – BlaBlaCar representative
BlaBlaCar is continuing to iterate on product and build awareness with potential consumers in India. Overall, the company is still obviously committed to providing a convenient, cost effective, efficient, speedy and comfortable travel experience.
“If you’re looking for a fast, efficient, affordable, and comfortable way to travel — and you like to chat — you should basically check out BlaBlaCar,” – Lavanya Jain, a satisfied user
