Tailor-made mobility – five mobility profiles that every employer needs to know

The Mileage Maestro has a company car and is often on the road. These employees use their company cars every day for commuting and for meetings away from the office. During the day, they will charge their vehicle or quickly pop into a petrol station. Occasionally, they might even go to a nearby car wash. It is important to them that they have access to a large selection of petrol stations, charging stations, car washes and parking facilities.

The Commuter does not just have one preferred means of transport. In the morning, they’ll get in their car or on their bike, go to their nearest park-and-ride, transfer onto public transport (such as the train or the metro) and then walk to the office. The Commuter uses a wide range of mobility services. These employees value public transport subscriptions and season tickets and the ability to flexibly switch between different mobility options.

The Globetrotter frequently travels abroad for work. For this reason, the mobility needs of these employees are a little different to the other profiles. For them, it is important that the budget is there for them to flexibly book flights, taxis and hotels or make reservations for meals. These employees don’t need to be tied up in red tape – especially when they are travelling – so they benefit from having a single solution that lets them deal with the matters just mentioned, provides a good overview of costs, and is easy to use.

The Individualist uses their own transport. Whether car or (electric) bicycle, these employees need compensation for their mileage. Depending on the day, the Individualist will jump into their car or onto their bicycle – they don’t depend on bus or train timetables. Each month, they report their mileage so that they can claim back their travel costs, and they value being able to do so in as quick and simple a way as possible.

The Improviser doesn’t want to be tied to a single subscription or a single means of transport for their commute. Every day is different, and so is the way they travel for business or to and from the office. These employees will use a shared car to visit a customer, or will go for a shared bicycle if the meeting turns out to be nearby. Or they will take the train on a day that they know public transport will be quiet. The Improviser wants to be able to travel in a way that suits them from one day to the next. Whether it’s a shared car or public transport, a shared bicycle or a taxi: every day is different, and so is the way they choose to travel.

‘Just like traffic, the mobility needs of employees are in a state of constant flux. It is important that companies do their bit. Employers need to be flexible if they are to attract the right staff and retain their current employees,’ says Bas Bogerd.

‘Meeting the needs of employees is not the only reason that it is important for employers to understand how their staff like to travel. From 1 January 2024, every employer with more than 100 employees will be required to record and report the CO2 emissions from all mileage by employees when commuting and travelling for business. A recent survey by XXImo showed that almost one-third (30%) of employers are unaware of this – and clear insights into employees’ business travel behaviour will soon be required. Fortunately, there are now systems that can easily map this while supporting a flexible and tailored mobility package for employees.’