Swvl’s expansion into Turkey revolutionises mass transit solutions

Egyptian start-up company, Swvl, joins forces with Turkey-based B2B transport as a service company, Volt Lines, to improve mass transit solutions in the region.

Volt Line’s commitment to providing safe, affordable transport options aligns with Swvl’s vision to unlock social, economic and educational opportunities for reducing emissions. Founded in 2018, Volt Lines has a strong presence in major Turkish cities including Istanbul and the capital Ankara. The company provides corporate clients with a smart and cost-effective alternative to public transportation or ride-hailing for commuters by using a network of smartly routed shared buses. 

Through its monthly subscription option, Volt Lines facilitates consistent and reliable commutes for employees of more than 110 companies (including ICBC, Mondelez, Axa Insurance, Pirelli, CMA-CGM, and MetLife), which increases productivity for all stakeholders. 

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Mostafa Kandil, Swvl Founder and CEO, said: “Volt Lines shares Swvl’s commitment to expanding opportunities and reducing emissions through forward-thinking mobility solutions. With this acquisition, we are deepening our presence in Europe, immediately expanding our enterprise client base and continuing to deliver on our growth objectives. We look forward to welcoming the Volt Lines team to the Swvl family and working together to realise our shared vision of revolutionising mass transit systems around the world.”

Research and Development Centre for tech

Volt Lines expects to build a dedicated tech and R&D centre to support Swvl’s existing global hubs in Spain, Germany, Egypt and Pakistan. Volt Lines is forecasted to deliver a 127% revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from its launch in 2018 through the end of 2022 and a 714% increase in customers from 2018 through the end of 2021. 

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Ali Halabi, Volt Lines Founder and CEO, said: “We are confident our solutions will meaningfully contribute to the Swvl platform, and together we will be able to deliver superior transportation alternatives for commuters around the world. We’re also excited about scaling our R&D centre in Istanbul into a global technology hub, giving Swvl reliable access to Turkey’s technical talent.”

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Volt Lines aims to expand Swvl’s B2B offerings by connecting passengers to drivers through their employers to develop direct routes with flexible departure times. This partnership brings an impressive roster of over 110 enterprise customers, including many multinational companies that rely on Volt Lines to enable commuting for thousands of employees every day.

Revolutionising mass transit in Turkey

“When we launched Volt Lines four years ago, we set out to deliver a revolutionary transit experience to make commuting more reliable and affordable in Istanbul. With Swvl’s global footprint, leading technology platform and proven ability to scale, we believe they are the ideal partner for Volt Lines to accelerate expansion of our platform,” said Halabi.

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Volt Lines has committed to running 100% of its network on electric buses powered by renewable energy to realise zero emissions by 2030. The collaborative partnership does not only bring financial benefits for both companies but also promotes economic empowerment for employees who will now have access to reliable and affordable transport.

A future for mass transit

Youssef Salem, Swvl CFO, said: “The acquisition of Volt Lines expands on Swvl’s position as a leader of mobility solutions, with a clear opportunity to scale the platform globally. Volt Lines brings an extensive list of multinational customers that we are excited to continue to grow relationships with as we provide them with the transportation solutions they need. This acquisition marks another decisive step that Swvl has taken to expand its footprint and to diversify our offerings globally. As always, we are evaluating a host of compelling opportunities to further our position as a leading provider of tech-enabled mobility solutions.”

Every day, Swvl’s parallel mass transit systems are empowering individuals to go where they want, when they want – making mobility safer, more efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly. This acquisition also hopes to solidify an opportunity to expand into adjacent markets that also require transportation solutions in schools and factories.