Posted on the 10th November 2026 in PHTM News
NEW HACKNEY APP - ROBIN - LAUNCHES IN THE UK
Dutch taxi platform Robin is introducing an alternative to the traditional commission model in the taxi industry. While many taxi platforms charge a percentage of every ride, Robin has opted for a fixed monthly subscription with no ride commission. In addition, drivers can attract new customers themselves using a personal QR code in the Robin Driver app.
With this approach, Robin says it aims to give independent taxi drivers more financial predictability, freedom of choice and influence over how they win their own customers.
A break with the traditional commission model
On taxi platforms that work with ride commissions, a driver pays the platform a percentage of every completed ride. As the driver generates more revenue, the platform costs rise as well.
This makes subscription costs predictable and independent of the number of rides driven.
The thinking behind the model is simple: why should a taxi platform automatically earn more when a driver works harder?
Drivers can recruit their own customers with a QR code:
Alongside the new revenue model, Robin gives drivers the opportunity to actively attract customers themselves.
Every driver has a personal QR code in the Robin Driver app:
When a passenger scans this QR code, they are directed to Robin to download the passenger app.
This allows drivers to introduce their existing customer base directly to Robin.
Drivers thereby play an active role in the growth of the platform, without Robin taking a percentage of their ride revenue.
No exclusivity: drivers keep their freedom of choice:
Robin does not require drivers to leave other taxi platforms.
Independent drivers can use Robin alongside existing taxi apps and decide for themselves which jobs they accept.
With this, the platform aims to offer an alternative without restricting drivers in their entrepreneurship.
Now in the App Store and on Google Play, and international
Both Robin apps are available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play: Robin Rides for passengers and Robin Rides Driver for taxi drivers.
Robin was developed in the Netherlands and has international ambitions. In addition to the Netherlands and Belgium, Robin is now also open in Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy.
In dozens of other countries, drivers can already sign up; Robin will open there as soon as the required registrations have been completed.
A different view of the platform economy
Robin poses a broader question to the platform economy: should a digital platform keep taking a share of every transaction, or can it also function as a service provider with predictable costs?
With its subscription model and the option for drivers to attract customers themselves, Robin presents an alternative to the existing way of working.
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