At the beginning of June, just before the excitement of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two VTC transport giants entered the Sarthe capital. Uber and Bolt, platforms allowing you to order a vehicle via a mobile application, have quickly conquered the territory. Today, six months after their launch, the results are considered very positive.
Growing popularity among the people of Le Mans
According to France Bleu, the figures show a notable enthusiasm. Bolt, for example, has seen an average increase of 35.9% in users each month since its launch. Although only 8% of passengers are tourists, the majority, 60%, are residents of Le Mans. Uber also reports a nearly 40% increase in the number of people opening its app each week in the city to look for a ride.
Busy periods are predictable: weekends during the week, between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., as well as Saturdays. Le Mans station is one of the main points of activity, both for departures and arrivals. Furthermore, certain routes are distinguished by their length. Among them, a Bolt driver recently made a transfer from Le Mans to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.
An expanding network of drivers
When it was launched in June, Bolt had around ten drivers registered on its platform. Today, their number has increased to around sixty, with total flexibility over their connection times. Bolt also aims to include traditional taxis in a specific category, thus meeting a growing demand from its users.
Uber has also seen its network of drivers expand. From 35 at the start, there are now around fifty who connect regularly to meet demand in Le Mans and the surrounding area. The 24 Hours of Le Mans period was particularly intense, with demand quadrupling. During this event, up to 106 drivers connected simultaneously to the Uber application to provide rides.
A sustainable and promising establishment
In six months, Uber and Bolt have been able to integrate themselves into the daily lives of the inhabitants of Le Mans while attracting external customers. With prospects for expansion, in particular thanks to the possible integration of traditional taxis, these two platforms are strengthening their presence in the city and seem well on their way to becoming key players in local transport.
