Freenow Taxi App to Remain Unchanged After €175m Sale to Lyft, Promises Improvements

Freenow passengers in Ireland will see no immediate changes after the €175 million sale to Lyft. The company's general manager for Ireland, Danny O'Gorman, says the service and mobile app will improve in the months ahead. Lyft customers visiting Ireland will be prompted to download Freenow's app, offering them 50% off their first taxi fare. The alliance with Lyft may lure more drivers and passengers to the Freenow app, improving reliability.

Title: Lyft Completes Freenow Acquisition; Ireland Passengers to Benefit from Integration

Lyft Inc. has successfully completed its acquisition of Freenow, marking a significant milestone in the company's global expansion. The acquisition, finalized after regulatory clearance, positions Lyft to enter the European market, specifically targeting 180 cities across nine countries, including Ireland, the UK, Germany, Greece, Spain, and Italy [1].

Freenow, with approximately 600 employees, will continue to operate independently, with no immediate staff cuts planned by Lyft. The integration aims to leverage Freenow's strong local relationships and regulatory connections to enhance Lyft's presence in Europe [1].

In Ireland, Freenow passengers can expect no immediate changes, but the service and mobile app are set to improve in the coming months. Lyft customers visiting Ireland will be prompted to download Freenow's app, with an offer of 50% off their first taxi fare. This offer is part of a broader initiative to welcome users to the Freenow network and encourage the use of the app [2].

The acquisition is expected to boost annualized gross bookings by approximately €1 billion, reflecting the potential of the European market. Lyft's focus will be on growing its share of the market, where around 50% of rides are still booked offline [1].

The integration of Freenow with Lyft's global platform is designed to improve reliability and attract more drivers and passengers. Freenow's drivers and fleet owners will benefit from Lyft's dispatch software and operational resources, while Lyft riders will have access to Freenow's extensive network in Europe [2].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-31/lyft-completes-freenow-acquisition-isn-t-planning-to-cut-staff
[2] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250731202512/en/Lyft-Goes-Global-FREENOW-Acquisition-Complete