More profitable FOR SURE, in short-term. But easier technically? No way! Those rentals have pinpoint GPS accuracy, so they know where you started and ended, how far the vehicle was rolling, etc.
In some ways, it would benefit them more to charge by distance, because good cycling infrastructure would lead to longer rides in less time.
They could advocate to the cities they serve to build better infrastructure (i.e. to get more people to use their rentals), and would still profit from the positive outcome of having more trips and longer distances.
Time-based charges are creating negative press, poor rider behaviour, and most risks/greater danger… which is counter-intuitive from a business standpoint!
With rentals, this has always been my biggest complaint, behind having them being left in places they shouldn’t be.
Charging by the minute is such a faulty business model.
They probably do it that way because it’s easy to do technically and more profitable.
More profitable FOR SURE, in short-term. But easier technically? No way! Those rentals have pinpoint GPS accuracy, so they know where you started and ended, how far the vehicle was rolling, etc.
In some ways, it would benefit them more to charge by distance, because good cycling infrastructure would lead to longer rides in less time.
They could advocate to the cities they serve to build better infrastructure (i.e. to get more people to use their rentals), and would still profit from the positive outcome of having more trips and longer distances.
Time-based charges are creating negative press, poor rider behaviour, and most risks/greater danger… which is counter-intuitive from a business standpoint!