MUMBAI:New app helps users find commuters who carpool

Mumbai: A new app will help commuters reduce their carbon footprint and make the daily commute easier. The app, Smart Mumbaikar, that was launched on Friday lets users find travellers who carpool. 

    "It's a simple Facebook app that lets you identify who among your friends shares the same route you take to office, school or college," said entrepreneur Raxit Sheth, developer of the app. 

    When users set up the app, they are asked for details about their daily commute. Users can use a drop-down menu of city landmarks to select the origin and destination of their journey. It also prompts users to select their mode of transport and timing. 

    "We have compiled a list of about 5,000 popular landmarks across Mumbai. These include locations in the western suburbs, Navi Mumbai and the central surburbs," added Sheth. Software professional Parth Lalcheta has helped Sheth develop the app. 

    According to the developers, women travellers can select if they want to travel with at least one female companion or an all-women group. 

    "During research, we realized that security was a key concern, especially for women," said the software developer who is also the creator of MumbaiAuto (an app that calculates autorickshaw and taxi fare once commuters feed the meter reading) and Mobile4Mumbai (an app that allows users to search BEST bus routes). "We know that a large number of people are underutilizing rickshaws, cars and taxis during rush hour. Autos and cabs with single passengers simply add to the city's traffic woes." 

Aid to Easy Commute 

• When users set up the app, they are asked for details about their daily commute 

• Users can use a drop-down menu of city landmarks to select the origin and destination of their journey 

• Women travellers can select if they want to travel with at least one female companion or an all-women group 

• Log on to smartmumbaikar.com