The company specialising in carpooling has decided to close its long-distance bus lines operation by the end of 2026 due to unprofitable operations.
Monday 21 April, BlaBlaCar announced the closure of its bus transport business in France and across Europe by the end of 2026, due to a lack of profitability. "This project addresses the structural economic difficulties that BlaBlaCar is experiencing in this activity", the company justified in a statement. The increase in the price of diesel due to conflict in Iran increased costs and accelerated this radical decision, even though the offering aims to be low-cost in its pricing.
Transporting some 6 million passengers per year, Blablacar Bus currently serves 300 cities in around fifteen European countries, including Italy, Great Britain, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany... The Organisation of European Road Carriers (OTRE) was immediately alarmed by this announcement. [This is a] brutal reminding [reminder] that Blablacar Bus transports millions of passengers every year and that its buses boast a high occupancy rate. And the ORTE stressed the investments made by the carriers working for Blablacar through the acquisition of buses and the recruitment of drivers to operate the routes. "This decision, both sudden and unexpected, could, if confirmed, lead to major consequences, particularly for the sixty-odd hauliers operating routes on behalf of BlaBlaCar Bus.", adds the OTRE in a statement. Around forty jobs will also be cut directly within Blablacar.
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Stephane Jaladis
