As public transport slips, tech-savvy Bengalureans ease the commute

The introduction of several apps and web-based groups to promote carpooling has resulted in a massive interest in the scheme much to the happiness of the Bangalore Traffic Police (BTP), which has been consistently advising vehicle users to carpool for the past two years.

As the city is set to cross 60 lakh total registered vehicles this year, commuting to and from work has become a massive headache for employees while the police have to deal with traffic snarls. Recognising the need to launch a battle against traffic on a massive scale without waiting for conditions to improve, the BTP last year conducted several sustained campaigns to encourage carpooling.

The effort seems to have paid off. Officials say around 48,000 citizens have registered to share their car for the daily commute. According to estimates, on any given day, close to 5,000 people carpool. With several startups, IT companies and government departments putting their effort into making carpooling successful, the trend seems set to grow in the coming days.

Last October, the BTP had set itself a target of taking 50,000 vehicles off the roads within six months. While this might not have been achieved completely, officials are optimistic that the drive is set to succeed in the coming months. “Companies are now offering incentives to employees who carpool. There are massive boards put up at a few tech parks announcing the benefits of carpooling,” said M.A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic).

From preferred car parking slots to financial and other work based incentives, Bengalureans are noticing the benefits of carpooling. “We get to park in slots right next to our office lift. There is some discussion about offering fuel charges for carpooling teams and this is likely to be implemented soon. Besides, it is great fun and a stress buster to commute with colleagues,” said Rishitosh Chaudhary, an employee at Manyata Tech Park.

The apps that make it happen
The past one year has seen the rise of several carpooling apps and social media groups, which are driving registrations outside traditional carpooling groups like colleagues and friends. With several new apps, which use a GPS-based car pooling system, people are finding it easier to share a ride to office most days of the week.

The BTP have supported close to 20 carpooling apps in the past two years. Hundreds of Bengalureans post routes and requests on Facebook pages, like Carpool and Rideshare: Bangalore, every day. They have an active member base that responds to these requests.

Apps like Pool Circle, supported by the BTP, offer options from your friends list on Facebook or LinkedIn. Let’s Drive Along is another app which awards fuel points based on days when you take out your vehicle to commute and take other passengers along. These fuel points can then be used by you to ride with another vehicle owner.

Most of these apps require verification through a mobile phone or through the user’s Facebook account. Some apps ask users to upload their employee ID card or address proof before being able to share rides. There are also ‘women only’ car pools and a rating system for fellow passengers, which give people a heads up about the kind of people they will be travelling with.

“Initiatives like carpooling are the only way to deal with the massive amount of traffic on the roads till public transport infrastructure is increased. The idea is to look at encouraging such modes before going in for more punitive measures, like enforcing a ban on vehicles or imposing a tax,” said a senior Transport Department official.