On-Demand Commuter Carpooling
Efficient accessibility to transit stations is important mobility and environmental issue. Mobileware and its onTime commuter apps with over 3 million users are in a unique position to develop and launch an on-demand, low-cost carpooling solution connecting commuters to carpool from/to high volume transit stations. The total cost of car ownership is the most expensive item after a home, and single occupancy vehicle (SOV) on the road is also the least efficient. The disadvantaged community won't afford to own an extra commuter car, and some might not have a car at all. On-Demand Commuter Carpooling aims to reduce the number of SOV on the road and provide a low-cost mobility option. The rider will pay a fraction of the cost compared to regular car service, and the driver will recoup part of the driving cost. Every carpool match is a reduction of SOV and carbon emission reduced.
Our proposed solution is to apply the latest technology and leverage existing user-base and bring much needed innovation to carpooling. Carpooling is not a new concept. Most Americans are aware of it and some use it. Carpooling traditionally requires a lot of effort to arrange it, not flexible and no clear cost-sharing terms and automatic settlement. These frictions are barriers for broader adoption and sustain participation. With the proliferation of smartphones and mobile apps, the trend for On-Demand transportation has seen explosive growth as in the case of ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft. Carpooling did not benefit from these services. Since the principle of carpooling is to share costs and not as revenue for drivers. It is not the top priority for these ride-hailing companies to focus on this area. However, we see it as a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the commuter's daily life; and make a significant environmental impact at the same time. The solution is that the commuters arrange carpool dynamic peer-to-peer in real-time or via commute schedule. e.g., when commuters are on the train, they can check-in as a driver or request a ride. The app matches these commuters on the same train based on their destinations. A similar arrangement can also be made by a user requesting a ride from her/his home to the train station. The user who needs a ride pays only a fraction compared to the car service. The driver will recoup the cost of the driving.