stuff what you might be interested in

[john m]

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/free-now-to-restructure-as-it-plans-to-merge-with-french-app-kapten-1.4230468


Free Now to restructure as it plans to merge with French app Kapten
Fears for jobs as corporate restructuring in the works
53 minutes ago
Free Now merged with Hailo in Ireland.  Photograph: Eric Luke
Free Now merged with Hailo in Ireland. Photograph: Eric Luke

 
The Free Now taxi ride-hailing service run by Daimler and BMW announced on Thursday a corporate restructuring, which could lead to job cuts, and unveiled plans to merge with French app Kapten.

The Free Now company said in a statement that its restructuring was aimed at reducing costs in order to offset the hits to its business caused by the coronavirus crisis, which has hurt transport companies around the world.

Inside Business Podcast

The Free Now and Kapten ride-hailing apps are among many relatively new companies that have been set up across the globe to take on the likes of main players such as Uber. Free Now, previously known as My Taxi, entered the Irish market in 2016 when it merged with taxi-hailing app Hailo. – Reuters

[mercenary for hire]

It's a bit odd Kapten have no presence in Ireland dunno why the Irish times are reporting it.If someone was gonna launch an a rival app the next few months could be a chance to kick Freenow while they're down.

[john m]

Simple business Free Now have the Data Base that we gave them when we offered no PUC that cost drivers tens of Millions .That is the assett value of Free Now they dont have drivers or cars just Data .This new crowd being French might have a more respectful approach to drivers .

[silverbullet]

Simple business Free Now have the Data Base that we gave them when we offered no PUC that cost drivers tens of Millions .That is the assett value of Free Now they dont have drivers or cars just Data .This new crowd being French might have a more respectful approach to drivers .

We can burn sheep outside their office.

[Shallowhal]

And shout..."wee wee"

[markmiwurdz]

Not another fukkin name change....

[whoslast]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/techcrunch.com/2020/04/16/kapten-merges-with-parent-company-free-now-starts-restructuring-plan/amp/

Bit more info in this, says Free Now is in a difficult financial position

[markmiwurdz]

And this..

Kapten, however, is a direct Uber competitor. It operates a marketplace of independent professional drivers — not taxi drivers. The service is currently live in Paris, Lyon, Nice, Cannes, London, Lisbon and Porto.

------------------------

So how do you square that circle?

[john m]

if the taxithingey change the rules you fight back burn trains and busses .I remember a fella saying to carry passengers for reward all vehicles should be WAVs but nobody was interested .

[Bob Shillin]

It's a bit odd Kapten have no presence in Ireland dunno why the Irish times are reporting it.If someone was gonna launch an a rival app the next few months could be a chance to kick Freenow while they're down.

One wouldhave to believe that the Irish operation mustbe very profitable on a day to day basis if the initial spend(s) are disregarded, and that because  of Corona it should be as strong as any business to survive: if not what chance of survival would any driver orientated operation have, unless very pro bono by someone with a lot of capital?

[Tony]

Prepare to be paying, 20% for your own work

[mercenary for hire]

I'm still naively thinking drivers can steer the customers away from Freenow if we switched together.All we need is competition.In London freenow isn't that popular and there are about five apps on the go.We owe them nothing.So really don't need to be as loyal as we have been.

I'd honestly take Uber any day over Freenow.Yes they will try to fuk us over but no more than Freenow have.

Ireland is the only country where they are allowed to own the business.

[watty]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/techcrunch.com/2020/04/16/kapten-merges-with-parent-company-free-now-starts-restructuring-plan/amp/

Bit more info in this, says Free Now is in a difficult financial position

I need a lie-down after reading that - so many company names!

[Rat Catcher]

Kapten_ has been part of the Free Now family for ages:

https://www.your-now.com/our-solutions/free-now

RIDE-HAILING AROUND THE WORLD
RETHINKING YOUR RIDE

The ride-hailing industry first went big in 2009, when mytaxi (today: FREE NOW) shook up the market. Ever since, innovation has been the name of the game. With FREE NOW (9 European countries), beat (Greece, Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico), Kapten (France, UK, Portugal, and Switzerland), and Clever (Romania), we know exactly what both passengers and drivers are looking for in one service. The FREE NOW group is bringing ride-hailing around the world under one roof, so you'll always have a safe and comfortable trip to your next destination.

[Rat Catcher]

24% Commission in London.