From New York to London: Lyft’s ambitious plan to connect riders, taxis and chauffeurs through a single global app in next 12 months
- Perry Richardson
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Lyft has revealed plans to unify its growing portfolio of mobility services into a single global app within the next 12 months, marking a significant step in the company’s international expansion strategy following a series of major acquisitions across Europe and beyond.
In fresh details outlining Lyft’s global growth plans, Jeremy Bird, Executive Vice President of Global Growth, said the company is transforming from a North American rideshare operator into what he described as a “global, multi-mobility platform”.
The most notable development for riders and drivers is Lyft’s commitment to creating one platform covering all transport modes and regions. Bird said: “Within the next 12 months we will have one global app for all of our rideshare, taxi, and micromobility options.”
The rollout will begin this summer when North American users gain the ability to use their Lyft app in more than a dozen major European cities. The move follows Lyft’s acquisition of FREENOW, alongside the additions of Gett UK and TBR Global Chauffeuring, which have significantly expanded the company’s international footprint.
Mobility giant says riders will soon access rideshare, taxi and micromobility services worldwide through one platform
Bird added: “Starting later this summer, we will begin rolling out the ability for North American riders to use their Lyft apps in over a dozen major cities across Europe.”
For the taxi industry, the development points towards deeper integration between traditional taxi services and app-based booking platforms. Lyft’s acquisition of FREE NOW brought extensive taxi operations across European markets, while the purchase of Gett UK strengthened its position in London.
Discussing the rationale behind the expansion, Bird said: “Adding Freenow introduces us to new markets across Europe and deep relationships with cities, and adding Gett UK doubles down on our presence in London.”
The unified platform strategy appears central to Lyft’s future growth plans. Bird confirmed the company has already begun integrating teams across North America and Europe, bringing together functions including mapping, marketplace management and marketing.
Looking ahead, he said Lyft is focused on serving “more rides in more places” through “one, unified, global platform for PHV/rideshare, taxis, and micromobility”.
The approach differs from some previous ride-hailing market entries, with Lyft stressing cooperation with regulators and local transport sectors. Bird said the company seeks to “earn the right to operate, not demand it”, adding that policymakers should be viewed as partners rather than obstacles.
For drivers across Europe, particularly those working within taxi and private hire sectors connected to FREENOW and Gett, the announcement offers the clearest indication yet that Lyft intends to create a single customer-facing ecosystem capable of connecting riders with taxis, private hire vehicles, bike-share schemes and premium chauffeur services through one application.
The move could increase cross-border demand opportunities and simplify travel for customers moving between North America and Europe, while giving Lyft a larger platform from which to compete against global rivals as mobility services continue to converge under multi-modal transport offerings.
