Kakao Mobility Launches 'Mobility Roaming Service' in 22 European Countries

Call Local Vehicles in Europe with KakaoT App
Pilot Service in Germany on the 7th Next Month, Then Expansion to Other Countries

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Choi] It has become possible to conveniently use vehicle-hailing services through the KakaoT app in major European countries. Users can enter pick-up and drop-off locations in Hangul and pay in Korean won. Not only taxis but also local mobility services are available, allowing users to choose the most optimized mobility service depending on the situation.

Kakao Mobility announced on the 31st that starting from September, it will launch a 'Mobility Roaming Service' that allows users to access local vehicle-hailing services in Europe through the KakaoT app.

Kakao Mobility will integrate the vehicle-hailing service of 'Bolt,' one of Europe's largest mobility services, through a partnership with Splyt, a global mobility brokerage platform. The roaming service will operate in a total of 22 countries across Europe, including Germany, where the pilot operation will take place.

The pilot service will begin on the 7th in Germany, where there is a large number of Korean visitors. In the German pilot service, KakaoT will support not only taxis but also local vehicle-hailing services such as Bolt Economy, small and large SUVs, and premium sedans. In October, the service area will expand to France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. Among these, some countries such as Austria, the Netherlands, and Sweden plan to offer services beyond vehicle-hailing, including services for the mobility-impaired and pet transportation services.

'Mobility Roaming' is a service that allows users to hail various local transportation options overseas through the KakaoT app. It was first introduced in Japan in 2018 and has since expanded to seven Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand, providing services in a total of eight countries.

KakaoT users can select the vehicle-hailing icon on the KakaoT app home screen, enter pick-up and drop-off locations in Hangul, choose the mode of transportation, and hail a vehicle. Features such as a real-time automatic translation messenger for communication with drivers and a current location photo transmission service will also be supported.

The usage fee is calculated by adding the roaming service fee to the fare of the transportation mode in each country. Payments can be made using domestic exclusive cards registered in the KakaoT app or via small payments through mobile phones. The roaming service fee for the pilot operation in Germany is 2,500 to 3,000 KRW per call, and roaming service fees vary depending on the fare and service environment of each country. The roaming service fees for the other 21 countries, excluding Germany, will be finalized when the service opens.

Donghoon Shin, Head of the MaaS Business Division at Kakao Mobility, said, "We will support seamless mobility for users not only in Asia but also in Europe through the KakaoT roaming service, establishing ourselves as a global mobility platform that encompasses worldwide mobility demand." He added, "Kakao Mobility will strengthen its competitiveness in the global market by introducing not only roaming services but also advanced mobility technology-based services."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.