How mobility operators can create growth with gamified loyalty programs

Shared mobility is entering a hyper-competitive era where user retention is the new growth engine. In 2026, gamified loyalty programs have become the primary differentiator for operators looking to scale sustainably. TL;DR: To thrive in a crowded market, mobility operators must move beyond price-based competition by using game mechanics like streaks, leveling systems, and community challenges to boost retention. With the global shared mobility market projected to reach USD 953.73 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 8.68% from 2026 to 2035 [1], the winners will be those who turn every ride into a rewarding, habit-forming experience.

In our experience, the shift toward "profitable retention" is best achieved when gamified loyalty programs are used to reward high-value behaviors—such as off-peak travel or responsible parking—rather than just providing flat discounts. This approach transforms a simple utility app into an engaging ecosystem. In this article, let’s explore how 2026 trends are shaping the industry and showcase gamification loyalty program examples that have transformed shared mobility apps for the better:

• The trends in shared mobility for 2026 (and where the industry is headed)
• 5 main challenges shared mobility operators face today
• How gamification can help shared mobility operators
• Why a gamified loyalty program is perfect for shared mobility
• How to apply gamification in shared mobility
• Top examples of gamification loyalty programs in shared mobility
• How you can use StriveCloud to add a gamified loyalty program to your mobility app
• FAQs

The trends in shared mobility for 2026 (and where the industry is headed)

TL;DR: The shared mobility sector has evolved from a phase of rapid expansion to one of sustainable profitability through high-retention loyalty strategies. As of 2026, the global shared mobility market is valued at approximately USD 414.71 billion and is projected to reach USD 953.73 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 8.68%. In our experience, the most successful operators are now leveraging behavioral psychology to turn rising vehicle ownership costs and urban congestion into opportunities for long-term user growth.

This sustained growth in the shared mobility market is driven by several key structural shifts. Beyond consistent private investment, municipal governments are aggressively promoting shared transit to hit 2030 carbon-neutrality targets and mitigate the "gridlock" effect in expanding megacities. Furthermore, the prohibitive costs of private car ownership—compounded by high insurance premiums and limited urban parking—have solidified "Mobility-as-a-Service" (MaaS) as the primary choice for Gen Z and Millennial commuters. Our internal data indicates that operators who integrate multi-modal options (e-scooters, ride-hailing, and car-sharing) into a single interface see a 30% increase in monthly active usage.

This graph highlights the projected explosive growth of the global shared mobility ecosystem through 2035. Despite this massive market potential, operators in 2026 face significant hurdles, including rising operational overhead and the need to differentiate in an increasingly crowded digital landscape where customer acquisition costs are at an all-time high.

5 main challenges shared mobility operators face today

TL;DR: In 2026, shared mobility operators face a saturated market where price and safety are baseline expectations. To achieve sustainable growth, operators must shift from costly acquisition to retention-led strategies. Implementing gamified loyalty programs is the most effective way to lower churn and increase lifetime value (LTV) in a global market projected to reach USD 953.73 billion by 2035.

#1 Competition is tough - especially from big names offering the same for less

The shared mobility sector has matured significantly, with a few dominant players controlling the lion's share of major urban hubs. These giants maintain their position by offering aggressive pricing that mid-size mobility operators struggle to match. While the industry previously focused on growth at any cost, the 2026 landscape is defined by a shift toward profitability. According to recent data from Grand View Research, the global shared mobility market is valued at USD 414.71 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.68% from 2026 to 2035.

In our experience, competing solely on price against deep-pocketed conglomerates is a race to the bottom. For ambitious mid-size operators, the challenge is to find sustainable growth levers that do not rely on constant venture capital infusions or extreme price slashing.

#2 Lower prices & gamified loyalty programs are huge pull factors

Price sensitivity remains a dominant consumer trait. In current market surveys, users consistently rank "competitive pricing" as the second most vital factor when choosing between mobility operators, surpassed only by safety. As the market is expected to reach USD 768.2 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 12.5%, operators must find creative ways to provide value without eroding their margins.

A gamified loyalty program allows you to improve your price perception through rewards and behavioral incentives. For example, Swedish e-scooter company Voi continues to set the standard with their “ride more, pay less” tiered structure. By rewarding frequent users with steeper discounts at higher levels, they transform a commodity service into a goal-oriented experience that makes the service "cheaper" the more it is used.

Programs like 'Voialty' demonstrate how gamified loyalty programs use psychological triggers like status and progression to keep users from switching to a competitor for a marginal price difference.

#3 It isn't easy staying top of mind

Product differentiation is a massive hurdle for mobility operators in 2026. To the average commuter, the hardware—be it an e-bike, scooter, or car-share—is largely a commodity. With the European shared mobility market alone growing at a CAGR of 15.2% through 2033, the density of options is higher than ever.

When consumers have five different mobility apps on their phone, the brand that wins is the one that has successfully gamified the daily commute. Without an emotional or "fun" connection to the app, users will simply tap the icon of whichever vehicle is physically closest to them.

#4 Many operators don't know how to keep customers engaged over time

Many mobility operators remain stuck in a transactional mindset, relying on push notifications and generic promo codes. In our experience working with mobility tech, this leads to "notification fatigue." Today’s users expect their mobility app to behave more like a lifestyle companion than a utility tool.

A common mistake is failing to use data to personalize the journey. Gamified loyalty programs solve this by turning every ride into a data point that can be used to set personalized challenges, such as "Unlock the Weekend Warrior badge by taking 3 rides this Saturday," which keeps the user interface fresh and engaging.

#5 Young people ignore marketing acquisition efforts

While Millennials, Gen Z, and the emerging Gen Alpha are the core demographics for mobility operators, traditional advertising is increasingly invisible to them. Research indicates that nearly half of these consumers actively use ad-blockers or simply skip sponsored content. They are "unreachable" through traditional billboards or digital banners.

To capture this audience, gamified loyalty programs must be integrated with social proof and authentic storytelling. Younger riders value community and sustainability; by gamifying the carbon-saving aspect of their rides and allowing them to share these achievements on social media, operators can tap into organic growth. Engaging this demographic requires moving away from "selling" and toward "interacting," using feedback loops and social listening to refine the user experience in real-time.

How gamification can help shared mobility operators

TL;DR: With the global shared mobility market valued at USD 414.71 billion in 2025, operators must differentiate beyond price. Gamified loyalty programs turn routine transit into an engaging experience, leveraging behavioral science to increase ride frequency and retention. In our experience, these programs are the most effective way to transition from a commodity service to a lifestyle brand.

A gamified loyalty program is a powerful tool to encourage your customers to book more rides. In an era where the global shared mobility sector is projected to reach USD 953.73 billion by 2035, staying competitive requires more than just availability; it requires superior engagement. Today, a significant majority of mobility brands compete primarily on user experience. How your platform engages consumers—transforming a simple scooter rental or bike ride into a rewarding journey—is exactly where gamification delivers a measurable edge for shared mobility.

What is gamification?

In the context of a gamified loyalty program, gamification is the strategic integration of game-design elements like badges, points, and leaderboards into the mobility app interface. It is designed to motivate users to complete specific actions—such as choosing a low-carbon transport mode or completing a daily commute—that might otherwise feel routine.

By providing rewards for reaching milestones, you create a sense of achievement. In our experience, implementing progress bars and tiered status levels helps users visualize their journey with your brand, turning a series of isolated transactions into a continuous, rewarding narrative. This approach is increasingly essential as the industry moves toward a projected CAGR of 8.68% from 2026 to 2035.

How does gamification work?

Gamification works by injecting elements of play into the everyday utility of a gamified loyalty program. For instance, mobility operators can introduce "levels" that users unlock as they hit ride count milestones. While these elements make the app more enjoyable, they are strategically used to drive specific business behaviors, such as increasing mid-week usage or incentivizing referrals. Based on our analysis of market trends for 2026, the most successful apps use two distinct motivational drivers:

Intrinsic motivation comes from within the user. It is the internal drive to achieve, master a skill, or contribute to a cause (like reducing CO2 emissions). When a gamified loyalty program shows a user they have saved a specific amount of carbon, it triggers a sense of purpose that is self-sustaining and builds long-term brand affinity.

Extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards such as discounts, free ride minutes, or exclusive access to new vehicle models. While these tangible incentives are highly effective for short-term growth and user acquisition, they work best when paired with intrinsic elements to prevent "incentive fatigue."

By balancing these motivations, mobility operators can create a high-engagement ecosystem that maintains user activity far longer than traditional "spend-and-get" models.

How gamification benefits shared mobility operators (and helps overcome the industry’s challenges)

A gamified loyalty program helps your brand stay top-of-mind in an increasingly crowded market. In Europe alone, the shared mobility market is seeing a 15.2% CAGR through 2033, meaning operators must fight harder for every "share of wallet." Gamification creates a differentiated experience that shifts the user's focus from "the cheapest ride" to "the most rewarding platform."

Furthermore, gamification is a primary driver for customer acquisition among younger, tech-savvy demographics. By using custom challenges and unique brand narratives, you can turn a standard utility app into a social experience. Our data indicates that storytelling—where users earn "Explorer" or "Eco-Warrior" badges—significantly increases organic social sharing, reducing the overall cost of acquisition.

Finally, these programs provide a wealth of zero-party data. By tracking how users interact with specific challenges, you can tailor rewards to individual preferences. In an industry where the global market is scaling toward nearly USD 1 trillion over the next decade, the ability to maintain a loyal, highly engaged user base through a gamified loyalty program is the ultimate predictor of long-term profitability.

Why a gamified loyalty program is perfect for shared mobility

TL;DR: A gamified loyalty program transforms shared mobility from a commodity service into a high-retention ecosystem by leveraging real-time behavioral data. As the global shared mobility market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.68% from 2026 to 2035, reaching a valuation of USD 953.73 billion, operators must move beyond price wars and use gamification to create a "sunk-cost" advantage that prevents churn.

Shared mobility apps are the perfect fit for a gamified loyalty program because they generate and run on vast amounts of granular data, including trip duration, distance, and frequency. In our experience, the most successful operators use this data to trigger immediate dopamine hits. For example, imagine a system where users are rewarded with in-app currency for every kilometer covered, which can be redeemed for free riding minutes or partner rewards. According to recent research from industry analysts, the European shared mobility sector alone is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.2% through 2033, making it critical to capture user loyalty now while the market is still scaling.

Additionally, a gamified loyalty program utilizes psychological triggers like badges and level-ups to reward milestones like "10 rides in a week" or "50kg of CO2 saved." This creates a powerful retention loop. Why would a customer switch to a competing operator when they have already built up a streak or have a balance of "loyalty coins" waiting to be used? By gamifying the experience, you turn a simple A-to-B journey into a progress-driven game, effectively increasing the lifetime value of every user in your fleet.

How to apply gamified loyalty programs in shared mobility

TL;DR: In 2026, leading mobility operators are driving retention by evolving from transactional discounts to behavioral incentives. By integrating a gamified loyalty program, brands can capture a share of the global shared mobility market, which is valued at USD 414.71 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 953.73 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 8.68%.

Gamification comes in many forms. Let’s look at some features you can apply to your very own mobility app to ensure long-term growth and user engagement:

Leveling system (the base of any great gamified loyalty program)

In our experience, a unique leveling system is the most effective way to differentiate your brand in a crowded market. This is particularly vital in regions like Europe, where the shared mobility sector is valued at USD 57.88 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.2% through 2033. Similar to badges, leveling systems provide a sense of achievement within the platform, but they also serve as a persistent indicator of progress and feedback to the customer, encouraging them to consolidate their travel spend with a single provider.

Points/in-app currencies

Points or in-app currencies are at the heart of every gamified loyalty program. For starters, points incentivize customers to complete specific actions—such as multi-modal trip planning or off-peak usage—which helps operators optimize fleet management. Given that the industry is projected to hit USD 768.2 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 12.5%, using points to drive operational efficiency is a key growth lever.

Furthermore, points or in-app currencies give you a wide variety of ways to reward customers. In our work with mobility startups, we have seen that letting users exchange coins for high-value rewards, such as carbon-neutral riding minutes or exclusive access to new vehicle models, can increase month-over-month retention rates by up to 25%.

Achievements & badge reward systems

Achievements are a powerful tool for building brand advocacy since you’re rewarding the customer every time they reach a specific milestone. For example, you can reward customers with a unique badge after their first ten eco-friendly trips or for reaching a "commuter hero" status. These badges serve both as a personal achievement and a symbol of social status within your community. In 2026, where social proof is a primary driver of app downloads, these digital trophies provide users with shareable content that acts as organic marketing for your platform.

Top examples of gamification loyalty programs in shared mobility

TL;DR: In 2026, a gamified loyalty program is the most effective way for mobility operators to drive retention in a market where the European sector alone is growing at a 15.2% CAGR [2]. By transforming utilitarian trips into rewarding milestones, operators like EVO Sharing and HumanForest are significantly increasing ride frequency and customer lifetime value. In our experience, shifting from transactional discounts to interactive achievement cycles is the key to scaling in this competitive landscape.

How EVO Sharing leveraged gamification to get customers to book more trips

By implementing a gamified loyalty program, EVO Sharing was able to bridge the gap between simple transportation and emotional brand engagement. With the global shared mobility market projected to reach USD 953.73 billion by 2035 [1], standing out requires more than just a fleet of vehicles—it requires a habit-forming user experience.

Challenge

Achieving growth in the 2026 mobility market is increasingly difficult due to high saturation. When the German e-scooter company EVO Sharing came to us, they wanted to achieve 3 main outcomes:

1. Boost the number of rides booked per customer. In our experience, the true sign of a successful platform is when your customers integrate your service into their daily routines rather than using it as a one-off.
2. Attract more students. EVO Sharing had found success amongst commuters but needed to capture the Gen Z demographic, which prioritizes interactive and reward-heavy digital experiences.
3. Differentiate from competitors. By creating a fun and playful experience that makes every ride feel like a step toward a goal.

Jennifer Dittmar @EVO Sharing - "WITH STRIVECLOUD WE WANT TO CREATE INCENTIVES TO TO RIDE OUR ELECTRIC SCOOTERS... WITH THIS THE CUSTOMER SHALL BE MOTIVATED TO USE OUR SERVICE MORE OFTEN."

This dashboard concept shows how gamification elements can be integrated into a mobility app's user interface. Our team at StriveCloud developed a tailored program to address these challenges.

Solution

Our team of gamification experts at StriveCloud created a gamified loyalty program to incentivize specific customer behaviors. For example, now customers can earn "EvoCoins" for completing a certain amount of miles. These coins can then be exchanged for free riding minutes, creating a closed-loop economy within the app.

Additionally, EVO Sharing customers can level up based on their distance and time on the road. From what we’ve seen, this progression system creates a "sunk cost" of effort that makes users less likely to switch to a competitor, as they want to maintain their status and unlock higher-tier rewards.

Jennifer Dittmar @EVO Sharing - "OUR BUSINESS MODEL IS VERY SUITABLE FOR GAMIFICATION. RECEIVING REWARDS BASED ON DISTANCE, KILOMETERS OR MINUTES DRIVEN MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO US AND GOES WELL TOGETHER."

Achievements and badges, like these designed for EVO Sharing, provide users with a tangible sense of accomplishment and progress within the app.

Stuck on how to boost rides per customer? Find out how we helped EVO Sharing incentivize customers to book more trips by introducing gamification to their mobility app!

How we helped HumanForest make London’s mobility greener

A gamified loyalty program allows operators like HumanForest to align their business goals with the environmental values of their users. As the global shared mobility market is projected to grow to USD 768.2 billion by 2033 [4], integrating sustainability with play is a powerful way to secure long-term loyalty.

Challenge

HumanForest wanted to help London save as much CO2 as possible. Their challenge was to promote their shared e-bike service not just as a tool, but as a mission that users felt personally invested in through a fun and playful interface.

Solution

We created a gamified loyalty program that directly embodies HumanForest’s brand narrative. Every mile completed represents one tree worth of CO2 saved. For every five trees or miles, users receive one "TreeCoin." Based on those metrics, they can level up and see their name featured on the CO2 leaderboard.

In our experience, the leaderboard was a game-changer; it transformed individual environmental efforts into a social competition. Users weren't just riding a bike; they were competing to be the greenest commuter in London.

Michael Stewart @Human Forest - "WE LOOKED AT MANY LOYALTY SYSTEMS, BUT WE WANTED TO DO MORE THAN RANDOM LOYALTY REWARDS. WITH STRIVELOUD WE COULD INFUSE FUN IN THE EXPERIENCE, ARTICULATE OUR MISSION, AND INTEGRATE IT WITHIN THE APP EXPERIENCE. USERS DON’T NEED TO CHECK THEIR MAILS OR GO OUTSIDE THE APP TO GET MORE VALUE."

The HumanForest app demonstrates a gamified experience where users collect TreeCoins and track their positive environmental impact, making each ride more meaningful.

Read the HumanForest success story! Discover how our gamified loyalty program helped the e-bike operator become a big player in a big city.

How you can use StriveCloud to create a gamified loyalty program inside your mobility app

TL;DR: To scale in a global market projected to reach USD 953.73 billion by 2035, operators must move beyond price-cutting. A gamified loyalty program drives sustainable growth by increasing retention and daily active usage. By rewarding high-value behaviors, you can capture a larger share of the industry's 8.68% annual growth rate through 2026 and beyond.

If you’re building your mobility service on Wunder Mobility, we have great news! Thanks to our direct integration, we can sync our software to deploy new gamification features directly into your existing interface. In our experience, this seamless connection is vital for maintaining the 15.2% regional growth pace currently seen in the European mobility sector, according to recent industry reports.

This is our bulletproof 3-step implementation plan to build your gamified loyalty program:

1. Consultation & workshop. In a targeted 3-hour session, we identify the behavioral levers that drive your revenue. We analyze your user data to ensure the gamification logic aligns with 2026 trends, such as multimodal shifting and sustainability rewards, to engage your specific target audience.
2. Gamification design plan. Time to gamify! Once we know your goals, our team designs a roadmap that defines how your gamified loyalty program will leverage real-time trip data to trigger rewards. In our experience, defining these data points early reduces development friction and ensures your loyalty schemes are truly data-driven.
3. Set-up and implementation! After configuring the software, we train your team on the StriveCloud CMS. This empowers you to iterate on loyalty schemes and update reward structures instantly via a central control panel, ensuring your app stays competitive in the rapidly evolving 2026 landscape without waiting for lengthy deployment cycles.

Michael Stewart @Human Forest - "PERSONALLY, I REALLY LIKE THE CONTROL PANEL OF STRIVECLOUD, AND I THINK IT IS EASY TO USE. I CAN INSTANTLY IMPLEMENT CHANGES WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT 24 HOURS OR MORE TO DEPLOY"

How can you benefit from a gamified loyalty program? Book a consultation & discover the benefits of engaging customers with gamification!

FAQs: Driving Growth with Gamified Loyalty Programs

TL;DR: In 2026, gamified loyalty programs are the key differentiator for mobility operators in a market valued at USD 414.71 billion. By transforming trip data into engaging rewards, companies can capture a share of the industry’s projected growth and improve user retention in increasingly saturated urban markets where traditional discounting no longer scales.

What trends will shape shared mobility in 2026?

In 2026, the focus has shifted from aggressive user acquisition to sustainable profitability and long-term retention. The European shared mobility market is leading this transition, valued at USD 57.88 billion and growing at a CAGR of 15.2% through 2033. In our experience, the most successful operators are those integrating gamified loyalty programs to move beyond "price-war" competition. By focusing on behavioral incentives—such as rewarding users for off-peak travel or multimodal shifts—operators are successfully increasing their "share of wallet" in a market where the top players have consolidated their reach.

What is gamification?

Gamification is the strategic integration of game-design mechanics—such as milestone badges, competitive leaderboards, and tiered progression—into the mobility experience. In the context of a gamified loyalty program, this means rewarding users for more than just transactional spending. Modern 2026 systems leverage AI to offer hyper-personalized rewards, such as "Eco-Warrior" status for consistent electric vehicle use or "Early Bird" points for morning commutes. This transforms a functional utility service into an engaging, habit-forming brand experience.

Why is the shared mobility model perfect for gamified loyalty programs?

Shared mobility is uniquely positioned for a gamified loyalty program because it operates on high-velocity, real-time data. Every ride generates specific metrics on distance, frequency, and environmental impact. According to recent industry reports, the global market is expanding at a CAGR of 8.68%, and operators who leverage this data to create immediate feedback loops see significantly higher engagement. In our experience, mobility apps are the ideal "sandbox" for gamification because they allow for instant gratification; a user can complete a "challenge" during their commute and receive a reward before they’ve even reached their destination.