How ground transportation data is driving decision-making across organisations

Uber for Business EMEA head Christophe Peymirat argues for mobility data to strengthen travel, sustainability and duty-of-care KPIs.

Business travel has never been under greater scrutiny. Cost control remains a constant pressure, of course, but today’s travel managers are also expected to report to multiple internal stakeholders and support everything from sustainability goals and duty of care responsibilities to legal compliance and employee productivity.

These stakeholders—including procurement, finance, legal, IT and HR—all have their own KPIs and reporting requirements. To meet these demands, and provide staff with more effective, efficient, and safer transport solutions, travel managers will require suppliers to make crucial data more visible.

Ground transportation data – the missing piece of the puzzle

Ground transportation has historically been the least visible element of travel operations. Often representing the “last mile” of a journey, employees have traditionally managed it themselves by making ad hoc bookings and paying for trips in cash. This problem persists today; according to a recent Uber for Business survey, almost half of employees (48 per cent) are still free to choose their own travel options.

This frequently results in batches of late expense claims that are difficult to track. It also creates challenges for travel managers, who struggle to evaluate the effectiveness of their ground transportation strategies or identify where improvements can be made.

Modern mobility technology is changing this landscape by giving control and visibility back to travel managers through centralized platforms designed to manage ground transportation. Not only does this remove a major administrative burden, it also simplifies the process for employees. In addition, it provides a rich source of real-time data. Detailed analytics can highlight trends, improve cost efficiency, support audit and compliance efforts, and help stakeholders across the organization meet their KPIs.

Delivering on sustainability goals

Sustainability is a key area where data is having an impact. As ESG reporting becomes increasingly mandatory, sustainability teams are requesting more granular carbon emissions data at the trip, traveller, and department levels. From a procurement standpoint, these environmental credentials are now a critical factor in selecting a mobility partner.

Tracking miles travelled, vehicle types, and emissions generated can help organizations identify opportunities to reduce their carbon footprints and verify Scope 3 data. This visibility also enables sustainability teams to incorporate ground transport into corporate reporting or create measurable goals—for example, initiatives encouraging employees to choose lower-emission ride options.

Meeting high standards in duty of care

Real-time trip data enables travel managers to monitor where employees are, confirm safe arrivals, and respond quickly to incidents or disruptions. This adds another layer of insight, helping organizations identify higher-risk areas or routes that may need reassessment.

Beyond strengthening duty-of-care obligations, this information supports HR teams in reviewing company-wide policies and protecting employee wellbeing.

Linking mobility platforms with expenses, procurement, and HR systems can also eliminate manual processes and enhance decision-making. This can improve standards, simplify traveller reimbursement and create a more frictionless experience.