Most business travellers opt to use a ride-sharing app to move around a city for work. According to a GBTA report, 74% of people use these services at least sometimes, with over a third making it a regular habit.
They’re convenient and feel familiar, even when everything else around you is new.
But as anyone travelling for work knows, ride-sharing isn’t always smooth sailing.
According to Jaco Brits, FCM’s head of account management, sometimes, business travellers are left tapping their foot on a quiet street corner, watching the minutes tick by before a big meeting, or they could find themselves explaining to their finance team why the ride across town cost three times more than usual.
“Safety is another thing that’s often on a traveller’s mind. A study by a global TMC found that over 40% of business travellers are concerned about personal safety when using ride-sharing services.
“This worry tends to be higher among women travellers and in specific international locations where you might not know the local dos and don’ts,” he said.
Brits said that these are reasons pre-booked ground transport is gaining traction in corporate travel.
“Many companies haven’t fully integrated ground transport into their travel programmes. There’s an opportunity here for better management and cost savings,” said Brits.
He added that pre-booking rides offers several features and it provides consistency across different locations.
“You know what to expect, whether you’re in London or Lima. It’s also typically subject to vetting processes for drivers and vehicles, adhering to standards set by corporate clients. For business travellers, this can mean increased productivity.
“Imagine stepping off a long-haul flight and seeing your driver waiting with your name on a sign. No app-wrangling or trying to explain your destination in a language you don’t speak. You can use that time to prep for your meeting or just catch your breath,” said Brits.
In conclusion, he noted that on the company side, travel managers get a clearer picture of what’s being spent on ground transport and it makes it easier to stay on budget and make sure everyone’s following the rules.