Pool of Innovation

Launched in January,the portal already has 1500 registered members. The number of registrations,he says,increased in the recent past due to monsoon. The data of the members is segregated area-wise. For instance,if they get a request for carpool service from Fatima Nagar to Jangli Maharaj Road,they get in touch with a member travelling on the same route. If a vehicle is available,they send a text message with details such as the vehicle number,pick-up point,pick-up time and contact number of the car owner. “More than just a business idea,it’s a much-needed green initiative in line with the need of the hour,which is to have a socially responsible and eco-friendly mode of transport,” says Rao,adding that the payment transactions are done online.

The concept,according to Arif,is very common abroad but hasn’t picked up in India. In fact,France even celebrates National Carpooling Day,he says. Pointing out a few aspects of carpooling,he says that commuters should not expect to get picked up at their doorstep. “Besides,they need to stick to time and reach the pick-up point on time,otherwise,it might cause inconvenience to the other person,” explains Arif.

He mentions an interesting trend amongst the commuters using carpooling service through their portal. “The women employees prefer travelling with women and men prefer travelling with men. Also,people have preferences of travelling with employees working in the same company,” says Arif.

Sumedh Surendra Vanarse,a commuter who has been using the carpooling service since February,says that earlier,when he used to travel by the company bus,he spent almost three to four hours travelling from Dhankawadi to Hinjewadi. The IT professional says that with carpooling,he can save two hours which he spends at home. “It is a positive concept. Besides,I save around 10 to 20 per cent on travelling expenses,” he adds.