1.0 Client

The client is a leading European airline known for its extensive international network and strong reputation for quality service and hospitality. As part of a major global airline group, it operates from multiple hubs across its home country of Switzerland offering both passenger and cargo services to over 100 destinations worldwide. The airline has also demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability, with ambitious goals to significantly reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and reach full carbon neutrality by 2050 through the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels and other green innovations.

‘As I work shifts and can’t use public transport in the morning shift, I always have to travel by car. As I have a car park, I can’t use the ZVV concessions. Thanks to Urban Connect, I was at least able to travel by public transport during the late shift…’ – Anonymous Employee

2.0 Challenges

1. Equitable Benefits: The ZVV budget was inequitable as it only benefited by some Zurich-based employees, calling for a more inclusive solution.
2. Talent Attraction: A competitive talent landscape in the industry makes it challenging to secure top employees, requiring to constantly improve employer’s attractiveness.
3. Benefit Management Simplification: The complexity of managing numerous benefits calls for a unified platform, streamlining administration and enhancing HR efficiency, improve employer’s attractiveness.

The client was facing several challenges related to employee commuting and benefits management.

The primary issue was the inequity created by the Zurich Transport Network (ZVV) budget, which only benefited employees living in the Zurich area, leaving those outside the region without similar support. In addition, of those that live in the Zurich area, not all of them could enjoy this benefit as some are required to travel by car due to their very late shifts. This disparity highlighted the need for a more inclusive solution that could promote fairness and satisfaction among all employees.

Secondly, the client operates in an industry with a very competitive talent landscape, requiring the company to offer compelling employee benefits such as support for their commuting efforts.

Thirdly, managing multiple employee benefits was complex, placing a significant administrative burden on the company. Company X realised the need for a unified platform to streamline benefit management, enhance HR efficiency, and make the company more attractive to current and prospective employees.

3.0 Urban Connect Offering

• Mobility Budget Pilot: A budget of CHF 240 per employee for six months which can be accessed via the Urban Connect app and spent on any commuting modes, including public transport, ride-hailing , micro-mobility, and more.
• 10 E-bikes including booking software, maintenance, insurance, 24/7 helpline, etc.
• Onboarding event and user engagement to increase awareness and usage.

Urban Connect launched a comprehensive mobility budget pilot for 100 the client’s employees, providing each individual with a CHF 240 budget for 6-months. This budget could be spent on various commuting modes, including public transport, ride-hailing services such as Uber, or micro-mobility options such as e-bikes and e-scooters. In addition to the budget, Urban Connect introduced 10 e-bikes complemented with a booking software, digital lock and fully-serviced with maintenance, insurance, and a 24/7 helpline, ensuring a seamless user experience. An onboarding event was conducted to maximise engagement and usage, raising awareness and encouraging employees to quickly adopt the new mobility offer.

4.0 Result

• High perceived fairness of benefits: The mobility budget provides all employees, regardless of location, with access to diverse commuting options 87% of project participants across locations were highly satisfied with the offer.
• Increased employer image: The mobility budget enhances the client’s appeal, with 81% of respondents viewing the company as a more attractive employer due to the new mobility benefits, improving its competitiveness in attracting top talent.
• Simplified benefits management system: The unified mobility budget streamlines benefit management, reducing complexity and improving HR efficiency. High utilisation rate — 94% using the budget and 83% of the total budget utilised — reflects the program’s success and positive employee feedback.

The mobility budget introduced by Urban Connect ensures that all the client’s employees, regardless of location, can benefit from a diverse range of commuting options. This inclusive approach effectively bridges the gap left by the previous ZVV budget, promoting fairness across the workforce and significantly enhancing overall employee satisfaction. We asked participants to rate their satisfaction from 1 to 5, and the average satisfaction score was of 4.72 out of 5, showcasing the high satisfaction rate amongst respondents. One employee highlighted the personal impact: “As I work shifts and can’t use public transport in the morning shift, I always have to travel by car. As I have a car park, I can’t use the ZVV concessions. Thanks to Urban Connect, I was at least able to travel by public transport during the late shift…” illustrating how the mobility budget increases flexibility for shift workers.

The budget was well-received, with 73% of participants using it weekly and 83% of the total budget used within the pilot phase, showcasing its practicality and appeal. Additionally, 67% of the budget was spent on public transport, which indicates a solid shift towards sustainable commuting options. This shift in behaviour is further demonstrated by the fact that 48% of participants reported a change in their mobility habits. 22% said they use a private car less and 40% increased their use of public transport. It is also worth noting that those who did not change their behaviour said it was because they were already frequently using public transportation services.

The mobility budget also plays a crucial role in talent attraction. 81% of participants perceive the client as a more desirable employer due to the new benefits. Moreover, the unified budget simplifies benefit management, reducing the complexity of administering multiple mobility services and improving HR efficiency. High utilisation rates and positive feedback from employees demonstrated the demand for a flexible solution allowing to conveniently commute with a mix of transport modes via a single application.

The pilot’s success also led to a strong interest in continuing the program. 9 out of 10 employees indicated that they would love to keep using the mobility budget after the pilot phase.

👉 Get in contact with our team to discuss your mobility needs: sales@urban-connect.ch

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