A Pakistani woman named Maha Shahzad established BusCaro to provide commuters with a secure and dependable alternative for their daily journeys. The Urdu translation of BusCaro is "take the bus," signifying the company's commitment to making bus transportation a viable and accessible option for the masses.
(Photo : Arif Ali/AFP via Getty Images)
Pakistani commuters travel in a passenger bus in Lahore on April 12, 2010.
Providing Commuters with Secure, Dependable Transporation
BusCaro aims to redefine daily commuting for ordinary Pakistanis, addressing the challenges of safety, reliability, and affordability in the country's transportation landscape. In a nation where public transport is often precarious, and alternatives like taxis, rideshares, and rickshaws are financially out of reach for many, BusCaro aims to fill the void.
TechCrunch reported that the commitment to rider safety is evident in BusCaro's features, including driver background checks, vehicle inspections, and real-time tracking. The platform boasts an emergency response team, a 24/7 customer support team, and a live-tracking feature for users to share their locations with friends and family.
An exclusive feature for women allows them to use a masked name instead of their real identity when interacting with drivers. BusCaro is actively developing a panic/SOS button in the app to directly connect passengers with BusCaro and its safety partner, the security agency Mohafiz.
Shahzad's Personal Experience
At the age of 19, Maha Shahzad had to withdraw from junior college in Southern California due to an exhausting six-hour daily commute. Upon relocating to Pakistan for work, she faced the financial strain of allocating half of her salary to commuting expenses, a challenge shared by many in the country.
The lack of safe and reliable public transportation became a prevalent issue, especially for women, with 85% of working women reportedly experiencing sexual harassment on public transport. Shahzad underscored the widespread impact of commuting challenges on individuals across Pakistan, particularly affecting women.
Differentiating Itself From Other Companies
BusCaro differentiates itself from other ride-sharing apps by adopting a B2B2C model.
Through strategic partnerships, such as with universities and factories, Forbes reported that the platform ensures reliable transportation for students and workers. This not only aligns demand with supply but also enhances operator incomes while maintaining cost-effectiveness for commuters.
Since its launch in 2022, BusCaro has expanded its operations to Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, with a fleet of over 300 vehicles owned by private operators and handling more than 20,000 bookings daily.
Relying on minibus and minivan drivers, Shahzad envisions a model that combines cost-effectiveness with financial viability. According to her, a standard BusCaro trip is estimated to be around 150 rupees for the passenger or the entity covering the fare.
In comparison, a similar journey might incur expenses of 800 rupees in a rideshare vehicle or 1,400 rupees in a taxi, highlighting the significant affordability that BusCaro brings to the table.
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In a recent development, Arab News reported that the startup disclosed that it secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding, spearheaded by Orbit Startups, a program by SOSV dedicated to supporting startups in emerging markets.
The funding round also saw contributions from Wahed Ventures and angel investors specializing in the mobility sector. The startup anticipates achieving profitability by early 2024 and recently celebrated surpassing $2.5 million in revenue.
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