Lyft gets a toehold in Europe with FreeNow acquisition

is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State. Lyft said it is acquiring mobility platform FreeNow, giving the ridehailing company its first major presence in Europe after years of operating exclusively in the US and Canada. FreeNow aggregates taxis alongside private vehicles, including luxury rides. The acquisition of FreeNow nearly doubles Lyft’s potential market and will aide the company as it seeks to compete with the dominant player in ridehailing, Uber. While Lyft oversees several bikeshare brands in Europe, including Santander Cycles in London, it has yet to expand its ridehailing operation beyond North American borders. “We’re on an ambitious path to build the best, most customer-obsessed mobility platform in the world, and entering Europe is an important step in our growth journey,” said Lyft CEO David Risher in a statement. “Entering Europe is an ... Read full article.