Why a sustainable mobility policy is essential for your company: 3 benefits

Benefit 1: Flexibility for employees

Employees attach greater importance to sustainability. Since the pandemic in 2020, remote work has become widely adopted, employees are cycling to work more often and the car is losing ground for the first time in our commuting habits.

And that’s understandable. Flexible mobility offers a better work-life balance for your employees. With remote work, they no longer have to commute to and from the office, which means more time for their family or social activities.

In addition, a sustainable mobility policy offers numerous alternative mobility solutions. Think of company bicycles or carpooling, as well as train and bus subscriptions.

With a Mobility-as-a-Service platform, you can take that flexibility to an even higher level. A digital mobility platform combines more than 30 mobility services in one app. This applies both within a legal mobility budget or a cafeteria plan and for commutes or business trips.

This means that your employees always have access to the most suitable mode of transportation, perfectly tailored to their location and time.

That allows you as an HR or Fleet Manager to offer customized mobility. For Wunderman Thompson, this is a key factor in the war for talent!

Benefit 2: Cost savings

Yes, a sustainable mobility policy saves costs. In fact, the longer the distance, the more advantageous a sustainable alternative becomes.

For example, on a train journey from Kortrijk to Antwerp, you can save €52.17 per employee compared to using their own car. This is because you don’t have to worry about expensive fuel or leasing costs, parking session reimbursements, mileage allowances…

Your employees also always travel at the most advantageous train fare. A Mobility-as-a-Service platform, like the Olympus app, automatically calculates the best price based on your employee’s profile, time of travel and location.

Furthermore, you can recover VAT on sustainable mobility to the maximum extent possible. You receive one clear invoice for all your mobility expenses each month. This also means saving time on administration!

Find more savings in this mobility guide

Benefit 3: Increased productivity

Sustainable mobility contributes to a greener world, as well as the productivity of your employees.

They spend less time in traffic, experience less stress, and start their day happier. Happy employees are more productive.

This is also confirmed by Marieke Van Lysebetten, Regional Manager for East Flanders at Skill BuilderS: “I prefer commuting by bike or train. It allows me to start my day at ease. When I have to take the car and get stuck in traffic, I miss my bike or train ride.”

Curious about what employees themselves say about a sustainable mobility policy? Watch this video.

Want to simplify the management of sustainable corporate mobility?

Rent a car from Hertz with the Olympus app

A rental car for every moment

Road trip to the Ardennes? Need a car to the airport? Or maybe you’re city-tripping for the day?

Hertz offers cars for every occasion.

Their range offers something for everyone. Think SUVs or moving vans, fuel or electric.

If you prefer comfort, luxury and sports cars are also available.

But even for your family trip to Paris, you can travel smoothly with a family car.

Easily on the road with the Olympus app

Need a car? Hire it easily in the Olympus app.

You always have the most flexible mobility option at hand.

Tip: Travelling on your legal mobility budget? Book your train ticket and hire a car on the spot with the Olympus app! Hertz is a worldwide service.

Posted in Uncategorized

Attentia integrates mobility platform from Olympus Mobility

More than 15,000 Attentia clients now have the opportunity to manage their company’s mobility using Olympus Mobility’s mobility platform.

In doing so, this HR and Well-being partner provides a seamless integration for managing the legal mobility budget among other features.

Attentia collaborates with Olympus Mobility, the only player in the market with a fully digital mobility platform.

60% increase in demand for the legal mobility budget

The demand from companies for the legal mobility budget is on the rise. In 2022, the number at Olympus Mobility increased by 60% compared to 2021. This growing popularity is also being experienced by Attentia.

Eefje Dulsster, Manager Bonus at Attentia: “We have been assisting customers who want to transition to a more flexible and sustainable mobility policy for some time now.

Thanks to the seamless integration of Olympus Mobility’s platform into our existing flex tool, we can now provide a concrete solution for the daily management of that policy. Think of options such as the legal mobility budget or mobility choices within a cafeteria plan.

This collaboration supports our ambition to be an end-to-end partner in terms of wage policy for our customers.”

The increasing importance of alternative corporate mobility is due to the Van Peteghem Law. From 2026 onwards, fuel cars will lose their fiscal advantage. Companies are looking for other mobility options. Pillar 2 of the legal mobility budget offers the most fiscally advantageous alternative.

Seamless processing of mobility

In addition to managing the legal mobility budget, Attentia also provides seamless processing of business trips, commuting, and a cafeteria plan to payroll. This allows their clients to enjoy less administration while offering more than 30 alternative mobility services through one platform.

76% more companies choose sustainable mobility

Although Olympus Mobility already collaborates with other social secretariats, Attentia is the first to present itself on the market with a complete seamless integration. The collaboration responds to the growing demand from companies for sustainable mobility. In 2022, Olympus Mobility recorded a 76% growth in corporate clients.

Koen van De Putte, CEO of Olympus Mobility: “With this partnership, we support Attentia and its clients in their ambition as a well-being partner. Our mobility platform already has over 800,000 users and as one of Belgium’s 50 fastest-growing technology companies, we recently received our third consecutive Deloitte Fast50 nomination. Who knows, maybe Attentia will help us achieve a fourth nomination.”

About Attentia

Attentia is an HR and Well-being partner for large companies, SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), and self-employed individuals. They offer products and services in the areas of HR, Payroll, Prevention & Protection, and Well-being. This integrated approach provides their clients with data and broader insights for successful HR and well-being policies. Attentia believes that happy people are the driving force behind every successful enterprise. With over 750 employees spread across 40 offices in Flanders Brussels, and Wallonia, Attentia serves more than 15, 000 customers.

About Olympus Mobility

Olympus Mobility NV originated from Belgian Railways (NMBS/SNCB) and was founded at the end of 2015. Its shareholders include Cambio,VAB,and Mpact.Olympus offers a ‘Mobility-as-a-Service’ platform that provides access to public and shared transportation through a smartphone. Olympus Mobility simplifies mobility management and the associated administrative processes for businesses.

Posted in Uncategorized

How do I calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the mobility budget?

The legal mobility budget

Belgium’s legal or federal mobility budget offers employees the opportunity to exchange their company car for sustainable alternatives.

The alternatives are divided into 3 pillars:

  • Pillar 1: environmentally friendly car with a CO2 emission lower than 95 g/km
  • Pillar 2: sustainable mobility and housing costs
  • Pillar 3: payment of the remaining budget at the end of the year

Want to learn more about the mobility budget?

Calculation based on Total Cost of Ownership

To calculate the mobility budget, you rely on the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). This is the total annual gross cost of a company car.

To calculate the TCO, there are two official formulas since September 2023: the actual cost formula and the lump sum value formula.

Starting from January 1, 2024, as an employer, you are obliged to use one of these formulas. For a period of three years, you use the same formula for all employees who exchange their company car for the mobility budget.

Next, you choose whether to use this formula for each individual employee or per job category.

TCO Formula 1: Actual Cost formula

The first TCO formula includes the average annual gross cost of the company car.

This average is calculated based on the costs incurred in the last 4 years. If your employee has not been driving the company car for 4 years yet, you apply the actual duration of use of the company car.

To calculate the sum of the actual costs of the car, you rely on a comprehensive list of expenses. These include:

  • The lease or rental price of the car
  • Fuel and electricity costs
  • Insurance
  • CO2 solidarity contribution
  • Non-deductible VAT
  • Tax on non-deductible expenses

TCO Formula 2: Lump Sum Value Formula

In the second TCO formula, the specific calculation depends on the type of vehicle. You make a distinction between:

  • Hired or leased vehicles
  • Owned or financially leased vehicles

For both formulas, you add a fixed and variable component.

For a hired or leased vehicle, the formula consists of:

  • Fixed component: Annual rental or lease cost + average annual cost of all expenses not included in the rental or lease contract (unless included in car policy) + non-deductible VAT + tax on non-deductible car expenses + CO2 solidarity contribution paid by the employer
  • Variable component: (6,000 + commuting distance x 2 x 200) x fuel consumption cost per kilometer, provided that fuel costs are not included in the annual rental or lease cost

For an owned or financially leased vehicle, the formula looks like this:

  • Fixed component: Catalog value of the vehicle (including tax on the non-deductible portion of the catalog value) x 25% + CO2 solidarity contribution paid by the employer
  • Variable component: (6,000 + commuting distance x 2 x 200) x fuel consumption cost per kilometer

If you choose this option and use it again after three years, you must explicitly indicate your decision.

Don’t know where to start? No worries. Our mobility advisors are happy to assist you.

Keep these three things in mind

1. A digital mobility account for the entire mobility budget

In addition, your employees should also have access to a digital mobility account where they can track their entire mobility budget at all times.

Fortunately, the Olympus app knows how to do that.

2. Not using a lump sum value formula? Then the actual cost formula is mandatory

If you do not explicitly indicate that you are using the lump sum value formula for calculating the TCO, then you are required to use the actual cost formula.

If you wish to switch formulas, you can do so after three years. You will then use the new formula for every new employee who trades in their company car for the mobility budget.

3. Mileage allowance for business trips

As an employer, you can choose whether or not to include the mileage allowance for business trips in the TCO.

  • If you include it, your employee will no longer be entitled to an additional exempted mileage allowance.
  • If you don’t include it, your employee will receive an exempted mileage allowance as compensation.

Ready for the mobility policy of the future?

Source: Royal Decree of September 10, 2023, implementing articles 8, §5, and 12, §5, of the law of March 17, 2019, on the introduction of a mobility budget and amending the royal decree of March 21, 2019 implementing the law of March 17th, 2019 on the introduction of a mobility budget. Belgian Official Gazette September 29th, 2023.

5 reasons why Olympus is the mobility platform your company is looking for

Reason 1: Save time and costs with a mobility platform

For you as an HR Manager, a mobility platform means simplification of your administration. The numerous receipts from different modes of transportation are reduced to one monthly invoice with the Olympus platform.

This saves you time as well as around €155 per year per employee!

As the only one in the market, the Olympus platform also offers maximum VAT recovery on commuting and business trips.

Moreover, your employees can get started right away. You simply create an account for them, after which they can easily move around using sustainable transportation modes. No time is wasted on distributing, for example, fuel cards or anything similar.

In any case, Skill BuilderS is already convinced.

Reason 2: Easy expense management

Traditional expense management is done manually. This takes up a lot of time, especially when it comes to entering receipts and processing reimbursements.

With a mobility platform, these processes are automated.

As you already know, with the Olympus platform, you only have to deal with one invoice at the end of the month. Reimbursements are also handled effortlessly.

You can easily manage different budgets for business trips, commuting, and the legal mobility budget.

This way, you can spend your saved time on more useful tasks or even have a nice chat by the coffee machine.

Reason 3: Continued guidance from experts

Want to implement the legal mobility budget? Or convince more employees of flexible mobility? Seek advice from our mobility experts.

From the very beginning, they will guide you through the landscape of corporate mobility. Feel free to discuss your challenges in a demo session. They are happy to help.

Moreover, our mobility experts are up-to-date with the latest legislation. This naturally translates into a foolproof mobility platform.

With the Olympus platform, you’re always in good hands.

Reason 4: Always up to date with the latest changes in the mobility landscape

The mobility landscape is constantly evolving. It’s impossible to keep track of all the changes. Luckily, the Olympus Mobility platform does that for you.

Almost every month, we integrate new services into the Olympus app. This way, as an HR Manager, you can always offer the latest forms of mobility.

This ensures that your employees always have the most suitable mode of transportation at hand, tailored to their personal preferences and circumstances.

Job seekers value a wide range of flexible mobility options as well. Six out of ten potential employees indicate that a green company policy, including flexible mobility, is a decisive factor when choosing a company.

With the Olympus platform, you demonstrate your commitment to a better and environmentally friendly future. This sets you apart in the war for talent.

In addition to providing the latest mobility services, we also keep you updated on the latest legislation, technologies and trends within the mobility sector. For example, sign up for Budget Boost and become an expert in the legal mobility budget.

Reason 5: Your all-round partner for corporate mobility

With Olympus’ mobility platform, you as an HR Manager can manage various mobility solutions:

It’s even possible to receive personal support and advice to optimize your mobility strategy.

Moreover, your employees will benefit from the ultimate ‘one-stop-shop’ for corporate mobility with the Olympus app.

Choose Olympus’ Mobility Platform

With Olympus’ mobility platform, you

  1. Save time and costs
  2. Maintain an overview of different budgets
  3. Receive continuous guidance from mobility experts
  4. Always offer the latest mobility services
  5. Have the right partner for your company’s mobility

Discover for yourself

Miles Mobility in the Olympus app

‘Carsharing made easy’ in the Olympus app

The freedom of a company car, without parking costs or loads of administration.

With Miles Mobility’s shared cars as a new mobility service in the Olympus app, your employees get from point A to point B even easier.

For example, do they have training in Ghent? In the Olympus app, they can easily combine a Miles Mobility shared car with a Blue-bike or a TIER shared scooter.

With their one-stop shop for corporate mobility at hand, they get to enjoy mobility as if it’s tailor-made.

By the way, they also no longer have to keep receipts of their trips. At the end of the month, the Olympus platform collects all expenses on a single invoice.

It saves you as an employer a huge amount of time and administration.

You can find the shared cars in …

  • Brussels
  • Antwerp
  • Ghent
Miles Mobility als nieuwe mobiliteitsdienst in Olympus-app
Try the Olympus app

About Miles Mobility

Miles Mobility is a carsharing service based on kilometers instead of minutes. Their rates always include fuel and insurance. You don’t have to pay anything to park on public streets within our business area – not even a parking ticket.

 

On the road with DeWaterbus and the Olympus app

What is DeWaterbus?

DeWaterbus takes you pleasantly from point A to point B in Antwerp. Every 30 minutes, a ship is ready to sail down the Scheldt. (*)

You enjoy a traffic jam-free, relaxing trip on the water all year round.

You can even combine the mobility service with the train, tram, bus or shared transport. And your tickets? Buy them easily in the Olympus app.

(*) Always check the timetable for current sailing times.

DeWaterbus in de Olympus-app

Ideal for employees in the Port of Antwerp

With DeWaterbus and the Olympus app, your employees move easily around the Port of Antwerp. They avoid stressful traffic jams, no longer have to keep track of receipts and enjoy a relaxing boat trip.

Meanwhile, as an employer, you minimise your expense administration to one monthly invoice. No more wasting time processing countless receipts.

The Olympus platform is simple for you as an employer and your employee.

Want to see how it works in the Olympus app?

Try it out for free

DeWaterbus in de Olympus-app
Posted in Uncategorized

5 tips for a successful mobility policy

Tip 1: Set clear goals

Start with the question: “What do we want to achieve with our mobility policy?”

Perhaps you want to reduce car usage in your company, promote sustainable alternatives, or encourage teleworking. Your mobility policy is the place to establish these goals.

Setting realistic and measurable objectives provides direction and vision for your company’s mobility, both in the short and long term.

Keep your broader company goals in mind as well. If your company aims to reduce its CO2 emissions, consider how this can be incorporated into your mobility policy.

Are multiple departments involved in your company’s mobility? Then involve all relevant parties. With your task force, brainstorm possible objectives. This way, you create smooth collaboration between different departments.

Tip 2: Offer flexible mobility options

There are many alternatives to company cars. Think of the train, tram, or bus. But also bike leasing, carpooling and even teleworking are possible options. With this wide range of choices, corporate mobility almost transforms into personalized mobility.

As a company, you naturally choose which options to implement in your mobility policy. You do this with consideration for the needs of your employees. For example, if you notice a high demand for bike leasing, it makes sense to include it in your offerings.

To get a clear idea of the demand for specific modes of transportation, organize workshops or surveys within your company. You will see that certain categories of employees emerge, such as commuters using public transport or bikes.

From these categories, you then create different profiles. You’ll have your train travelers and cyclists, but also those who combine train and parking. There will also be a group that still relies on car transportation.

Tip 3: Promote sustainable transportation alternatives

Goals: check. Offer: check. Next step: getting your employees on board with your story.

Think of this especially as “Communication is key.” Take your communication manager, think about the message you want to convey and how you will reach your employees.

You can communicate about various things:

  • The importance of sustainable mobility options for your company
  • The goals you want to achieve as a company
  • The benefits for your employees
  • The possible transportation options

In addition, you can create an accessibility plan, like Mediahuis did. In this plan, visualize how to reach your company using different modes of transportation.

Indicate where your bicycle parking is located, which bus stops are nearby, how to access the parking lot… This plan also comes in handy when customers or partners visit you.

Bonus tip: keep repeating your message. People are creatures of habit, but repetition works. Give them enough time to adapt. Your efforts will definitely pay off in the long run.

Tip 4: Provide good facilities at the office

To simplify the transition to sustainable alternatives for your employees, ensure that you have the right facilities in your company. We don’t want Jan to start working sweaty or for Laura’s electric bike to stop working.

By providing the appropriate amenities, you lower the barriers towards sustainable mobility and support Jan, Laura, and the rest of your employees in their eco-friendly choices.

Some examples of good facilities include:

  • Changing rooms and showers for cyclists
  • Parking spaces for electric vehicles
  • Charging stations for electric vehicles and bikes
  • Sufficient bicycle storage
  • An app for purchasing tickets for alternative modes of transportation, like Olympus Mobility’s

Your employees will see that your company is truly committed to a flexible mobility policy. Walk the talk.

Tip 5: Monitor and evaluate your mobility policy

You have implemented your mobility policy. You regularly communicate about the benefits of sustainable corporate mobility. More and more employees are getting on board. And now?

Start with a personal conversation with your employees. Their feedback is invaluable. Listen to their experience with the new mobility policy. Do they have any questions? What obstacles do they encounter?

Instead of a personal conversation, you can also bring together different groups of commuters for a panel discussion. For example, let a cyclist, a train commuter, and one of your remaining car drivers interact.

Ask them how they experience the transition. You can learn a lot from different employees in a short period of time.

Afterwards, it’s time for an evaluation. Review their feedback and refer to your goals. What areas still need some fine-tuning? Have you already achieved certain goals? Did you overlook anything?

By evaluating regularly, you can make timely adjustments where necessary. For example, if you notice that your cyclists are fighting for a spot in the bicycle parking area, it’s time to expand the number of spaces.

These periodic evaluations increase the effectiveness of your mobility policy in the long run.

Conclusion

The recipe for a smooth mobility policy consists of 5 things:

  • Clear goals
  • Flexible mobility options
  • Targeted communication
  • Good facilities at the office
  • Periodic monitoring and evaluation

Would you like to learn more about easily managing your mobility policy?

Mobility-as-a-Service: 5 Reasons Why You Should Digitalize Your Mobility Management

All-in-one mobility solution

With everything integrated in just one app, your employees have all mobility services at their fingertips. From now on they can skip the lines at ticket machines, because they buy their tickets directly in the app.

Moreover, thanks to the wide range of mobility options, they can choose the best means of transport at any time. By train or car sharing, the choice is theirs. Your employees always enjoy a personalized route.

By the way, with a Mobility-as-a-Service application, no logistical distribution is involved. Your employees download the app and start right away.

Real-time budget tracking

With a digital Mobility-as-a-Service solution, you can track all budgets in real-time. Both you and your employees know how much of their budget remains at any time.

Do they make expenses for commuting or business trips? Or with the legal mobility budget? In the Olympus app, their budget adjusts itself automatically.

In addition, you get a clear overview of all mobility transactions in your company on the Olympus management portal. Per month, you process just one invoice instead of many paper tickets.

Let’s save time!

Most extensive and up-to-date mobility offer

A Mobility-as-a-Service application bundles mobility services. It integrates known and currently unknown services into one platform. Through the app, your employees discover new possibilities in their area and try them out faster.

This way, you lower the threshold to choose a sustainable alternative.

Olympus app user Stéphanie Collier from B-Architects describes it as the best: “Because all mobility services are bundled in the Olympus app, I keep discovering new services.”

The amount of mobility services will only continue to grow. That’s why the Olympus app regularly integrates new mobility providers. Your mobility offer will always be up to date!

Asset in the war for talent

70% of Belgians say a wide range of mobility options is a decisive factor in their choice of employer.

Offering a company car is no longer enough. Potential employees want to determine for themselves how they travel to and from work or appointments, preferably without traffic jams.

A MaaS app easily meets their needs. It gives them the most comprehensive mobility offering on the market without any hassle. A true asset in the war for talent!

Wunderman Thompson has already set the example.

Quick reimbursement of external purchases

Do your employees make other purchases with the legal mobility budget? With the Olympus Mobility-as-a-Service platform, they receive their reimbursement within 24 working hours.

Think of …

  • Mortgage payments
  • Rental costs
  • International train rides
  • A new (electric) bike and associated maintenance

Your employees can make the best use of the legal mobility budget without any additional administration for you or your employee.

Interested in Mobility-as-a-Service?

Posted in Uncategorized

Business Mobility: one app, one invoice in KBC Mobile

Business Mobility: the total solution in KBC Mobile for entrepreneurs

From April 2023, business users at KBC will also bundle their train tickets, parking sessions and refuelling sessions on one monthly bill.

With Business Mobility, they …

  • Bundle their business travel in one app.
  • Recover VAT and the cost of their mobility expenses.
  • Save on accounting costs as they process only one invoice each month.
  • No longer need physical parking and fuel cards.
  • Get discounts on refuelling.

Entrepreneur and ready to simplify your mobility management?

Olympus Mobility and KBC Bank & Insurance are jointly launching Business Mobility.

Olympus Mobility and KBC

Olympus Mobility and KBC have been working together since 2018.

We integrated a lot of mobility options for individuals into KBC Mobile. Just think of buying tickets at SNCB and De Lijn, parking at Q-Park and with 4411, refuelling at Q8 or booking a Cambio.

KBC users enjoy all these options.

Every day, thousands of people buy their tickets via KBC Mobile.

With all those choices, it’s no wonder KBC has been able to call itself Belgium’s best banking app for several years now and is among the top 3 worldwide.

rond logo blauw KBC

We are now extending that success to business owners and professional account holders.

Because one app, that’s something we realised. But one invoice? That was still missing in KBC Mobile.

With Business Mobility, entrepreneurs also enjoy administrative simplification.