Bolt Survey Revealed Commuting Trends in Central Europe
New research analyzed mobility habits, costs, and workplace frustrations across four Central European nations.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Remote Work
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A survey conducted by Minds & Roses for Bolt for Business revealed that private cars remain the primary mode of transportation for workers in Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Romania. The study highlights significant regional differences in commuting frustrations, such as traffic congestion versus public transit crowding.
Why it matters
The findings underscore evolving expectations for employer-provided mobility benefits as rising costs and transit challenges impact employee satisfaction. By identifying that workers prioritize fuel and public transport reimbursements, the survey highlights the role of benefits in modern corporate compensation strategies.
Average monthly commuting costs reached 51 euros across the surveyed markets, with Slovakia reporting a higher average of 71 euros. Meanwhile, global ride volume for Bolt Business grew by 25% as of June 2025.
The players
Bolt for Business
This division of the international ride-hailing company focuses on providing mobility solutions for corporate clients and their employees.
Minds & Roses
This organization specializes in conducting market research and consumer behavior analysis across European territories.
The details
Most respondents across the four countries report spending up to 30 minutes traveling to work each way. While traffic congestion serves as the primary frustration for commuters in Poland, Czechia, and Slovakia, Romanian commuters cite public transit crowding as their greatest daily challenge, with 60% of them advocating for commute times to be counted as paid working hours.
Timeline
Bolt Business recorded 25% global ride growth in June 2025.
The findings were officially published in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This research reflects a growing shift in corporate mobility strategies where employers are pressured to mitigate personal travel costs through subsidies. It signals a move toward addressing the financial and logistical strain that commuting places on the workforce in competitive labor markets.
Employees may see an increased shift toward employer-funded fuel or public transport reimbursements as companies respond to worker preferences. This could directly influence how workers budget for their monthly commutes and approach negotiations regarding their total compensation packages.
The takeaway
Workers should evaluate their current employment contracts to see if their company offers mobility reimbursements that align with these regional trends. Employers can improve retention by adopting flexible benefit structures that address specific local commuting frustrations like traffic or transit crowding.
Further reading
For additional insights on the evolving relationship between office travel and corporate benefits, visit our section on Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TravelDailyNews International.
Live Poll
Do you believe employers should be responsible for covering the financial costs of your commute?
