In Chennai, share-autos have emerged as the convenient choice for commuters, offering an alternative to MTC buses, especially in areas where bus routes may not reach. While there are numerous apps for hailing autos, cabs, and two-wheelers, there isn’t an app specifically for finding share-autos.
Recognising this gap in the market, Asfaq Jalal, a 20-year-old student from IIT Madras, collaborated with his friends Amal and Jai to develop the mobile app QPo Shareride. This innovative app helps commuters easily locate available share-autos nearby and request rides with just a few taps on their smartphones.
The App also benefits auto drivers, by enabling them to identify areas where passengers are waiting, making it a win-win situation for both commuters and drivers.
Launched on Aug.15, QPo Shareride allows users to download the app from the Play Store and sign in to access its features. Commuters can choose their nearest pickup hotspot, see real-time locations of available autos, and raise ride requests to nearby drivers.
The drivers will be intimated about the potential customers in the areas near the allotted location spots. This allows the drivers to easily connect with potential passengers.
The app currently covers the route stretching from Madhya Kailash to SIPCOT and includes notable landmarks (such as popular malls and hotels), where commuters typically struggle to find transportation.
Asfaq and his team embarked on this project in early January, collaborating with CSE department students from the St. Joseph’s Institute of Technology, OMR. Their passion for entrepreneurship and innovative solutions drove them to come up with this project. With a dedicated team of around 15 students, they have garnered considerable recognition for their project.
“We are very enthusiastic about startups in general,” Asfaq shares. “We decided to work on this idea because we saw a significant need for an app to navigate throughout the city. So far, we have more than 30 share-auto drivers onboard and more than 200 users from the commuters’ side. With ongoing developments and positive feedback from users and drivers alike, we are optimistic about the future of QPo Shareride. We look to improve the app’s features to transform urban mobility in Chennai. If things go well, we plan to pitch this concept to investors,” he adds.
In a city where getting around can be difficult, the QPo Shareride app offers a smart solution, making commuting easier and more efficient for everyone.
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