Share the Ride: The Determinants of Long-Distance Carpooling Pricing Strategies in France

Thierry Blayac (), Patrice Bougette () and Jules Duberga
Additional contact information
Thierry Blayac: UM - Université de Montpellier, CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier
Patrice Bougette: UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur, GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UniCA - Université Côte d'Azur

Post-Print from HAL

Abstract: This paper investigates the pricing strategies used in long-distance carpooling in France. We investigate how several factors affect carpooling prices using a comprehensive dataset of BlaBlaCar trips combined with sociodemographic and intermodal competition data. The analysis identifies two distinct pricing patterns within the platform: one characterized by standardized and consistent pricing, and another marked by more flexible, market-responsive price setting. By focusing on price per minute, we examine how trip characteristics, competitive conditions, and demand heterogeneity affect these pricing behaviors. The results show that variables such as the number of stopovers, trip length, airport or cross-border connections, and the presence of alternative transport modes influence pricing, but with contrasting effects across the two patterns. The standardized approach tends to reflect cost-sharing principles and reinforces network effects, while the more flexible approach adapts dynamically to local competition and demand.

Date: 2025-05-08
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Published in 2nd TRASPOL Milan workshop on competition and regulation of long-distance land passenger transport in Europe, Paolo Beria (Politecnico di Milano), May 2025, Milan, Italy

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-05063622

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Post-Print from HAL
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CCSD ().