Kakao Mobility to expand ride-hailing business into Europe

Kakao Mobility is expanding its ride-hailing business into Europe, the transportation company said Wednesday.

Kakao Mobility, 57.5 percent owned by Kakao, runs the Kakao T transportation service app.

Starting with a test run in Germany beginning Sept. 7, Kakao Mobility’s “mobility roaming service,” which enables users to request a ride in countries outside Korea using its Kakao T app, is set to be expanded to 22 European countries including Britain, France, Spain, Croatia and the Czech Republic by October.

Kakao Mobility partnered with Splyt, a London-based transportation company, to offer Splyt's Bolt ride-hailing service through Kakao T app.

In some countries including Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden, additional transportation-related services for people with disabilities, the elderly and people traveling with pets will be available as well, according to Kakao Mobility.

Kakao Mobility began its mobility roaming service in Japan in 2018, and expanded the business in the Southeast Asian region. The service is currently available in eight countries including Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

“We will reach beyond Asia to Europe and strengthen our foothold as a global mobility platform that encompasses the demand for mobility services worldwide, by enabling seamless mobility through the Kakao T roaming service,” said Shin Dong-hoon, head of Kakao Mobility’s mobility-as-a-service business division.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]