Carpooling solution in Saclay and Nevers, France
The Challenge
Most daily commutes are made by individuals traveling alone in their vehicles, leaving empty seats unused. A report published by VINCI Autoroutes reveals that 85.7% of drivers are alone in their cars at the busiest times of the day, an increase of 2.9% compared with spring 2023. The consequences are clear: increasingly congested roads, higher levels of pollution, and growing frustration among drivers.
The urban area of Nevers and the city of Saclay are no exception. Every day, numerous trips are made between municipalities, often without viable public transport alternatives. This lack of options only deepens the reliance on private cars, creating a demand for solutions to:
- Ease traffic flow within the urban area and city by reducing the number of cars on the road, thereby combating solo driving.
- Provide a reliable, flexible alternative that complements existing public transport options.
- More broadly, to make everyday mobility simpler and more inclusive for all residents, by promoting and facilitating carpooling.
The Solution
Ynstant is a next-generation carpooling service, designed for today’s commuters who care about saving time, money, and the planet. Using the intuitive mobile app, users can easily find or offer carpool rides with just a few taps - whether they’re commuting to work, heading to an event, or going on holiday.
Why is it an effective solution?
- Drivers earn money, making it a motivating and rewarding experience.
- Passengers get a practical alternative to public transportation – especially valuable in areas where those options are limited or nonexistent.
- The app is designed to be fast, simple, and user-friendly, catering to both meticulous planners and spontaneous riders alike. Everything is built to make ride-sharing easier and more accessible.
Introduced in Nevers and Saclay, the carpooling app has already brought tangible and encouraging results. Ynstant worked with local authorities and partners to identify areas with specific mobility needs, such as routes with heavy car traffic or less well-served communes.
During the pilot several new features were tested including a new kilometre-based pricing model, a fraud detection system and the ability to accommodate planned trips several days in advance.
The app offers a reliable and flexible alternative mobility option that reduces individual CO₂ emissions, enhances vehicle utilisation, and lowers overall fuel consumption and environmental impact.
Making an impact
Since its introduction, Ynstant has attracted over 2,500 users. In Nevers, more than 2,700 trips were completed with 1,403 active users. In Saclay, 2,551 shared trips were recorded, involving 837 users.
Beyond actual usage, the service has also contributed to increased brand awareness in the region. According to an internal study conducted with residents of the Nevers urban area in january 2025, 40% of respondents reported being familiar with Ynstant, a promising indicator for a service still in its early stages.
Lessons learnt
The delivery of the project revealed several key insights regarding carpooling adoption and user behaviour:
- Financial incentives are essential for user retention. Without economic rewards, drivers often lose motivation and gradually stop using the service. Incentives act as a powerful lever to encourage sustained engagement and ensure the service remains viable.
- Mobility habits are changing, but many French citizens remain attached to the comfort of private cars. The personal vehicle is still widely viewed as a space of independence and convenience, which can slow the transition toward shared mobility unless compelling alternatives are offered.
- Purchasing power concerns are a major driver of carpooling adoption. Economic motivations frequently come up among users, who see carpooling as a way to cope with rising living costs and reduce transportation expenses.
- A seamless app experience and user support are critical to success. Ensuring the platform runs smoothly, while providing clear guidance and assistance throughout the user journey, is key to making carpooling a practical and appealing option for a broad audience.
