Ride-sharing apps now available in Brainport

A first for travellers in South-East Brabant: from now on it is easier to find a carpool buddy. Brainport Bereikbaar is launching a trial with two innovative apps: Karos and Swidg. The goal? Fewer cars on the road and better accessibility of and in the region. 

Carpooling sounds like a familiar solution. Yet there are many cars driving around with empty seats. Smart apps make it much easier to find someone to ride with. With the trial with the smart apps, Brainport Bereikbaar wants to investigate how people in the region can be stimulated to ride together. “Our region is growing rapidly and the traffic on the road is increasing,” says Kees van Son of Brainport Bereikbaar. “Riding together is one of the solutions to remain accessible. It is more efficient, more fun and cheaper. But who can you ride together with? With these apps we want to make it easier to find someone. In this way we remove an important barrier to riding together.”

Difference between the apps

The app that is right for you depends on where you work. Karos is available to everyone in the region. Swidg is custom-designed for employees at the High Tech Campus and for other interested organizations, for easy registration of journeys. “Two apps may seem complicated, but it is not,” Van Son explains. “The apps both work slightly differently. That is nice, because this way we can learn what works best for our region.” The Karos app also has an extra incentive: drivers receive a compensation of at least €3 per person they take with them. Are you taking multiple people with you or are you making a longer journey? Then the compensation increases further.

Campaign to encourage use

At the same time as the introduction of the apps, the 'Share the ride' campaign is starting today. 'The campaign, developed by Scheepens with behavioural psychologists, shows in a striking way how strange it is that so many people get into the car alone. The campaign is popping up in various places in the region from today. "New travel habits don't just happen: we have to work on them together. The High Tech Campus, the Automotive Campus and the Brainport Human Campus are already participating," says Van Son. "We invite other organisations to also contribute to sustainable mobility. Now is the time to take steps."

More information about the trial and the apps can be found at sharetheride.nl.