Juan Víctor Molina, a 50-year-old from Madrid, runs a one-man haulage business. Like other hauliers, large and small, he sometimes runs empty. The Spanish haulier decided to solve this problem by creating a solution similar to the long-established BlaBlaCar app, which connects drivers on specific routes with passengers looking for transport.
This is how BlablaTruck was created, which is now available in the Google and Apple stores. “The haulier registers in this app and when he knows that he has space in his truck, he announces the route and the available capacity so that any user who needs to transport goods can hire it,” explains Molina on the Spanish transport site rutadeltransporte.com.
At the end of the month, BlablaTruck issues an invoice to the haulier, listing all the freight that has been transported.
Importantly, the app allows for payment in advance. For the developer of the solution, this is extremely important as the Spanish transport industry is struggling with payment delays.
In addition, the app suggests a standard rate of €1.5 per kilometre, although, according to Molina, rates between €0.8 and €1 are popular among one-man haulage companies.
While the app is free, BlablaTruck charges users a 12 per cent commission on each shipment, of which 2 per cent goes to an association for children with rare diseases.
The commission is paid by the transport commissioner, not the haulier.