TaxiBubu Carpooling Platform

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, faces significant traffic congestion, exacerbated by the reliance of approximately 7 million residents on overcrowded commuter buses, known as Daladalas, for daily commuting. Studies indicate that these buses account for about 60% of daily trips, with only 9% of urban households owning cars. Despite sustained economic growth and recent graduation to lower-middle-income status, the city's inadequate road infrastructure struggles to accommodate the rapid population increase. Private car owners often travel with empty seats, thus occupying the most space on the road and causing traffic, while Daladalas operate beyond capacity during rush hours, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in travel. TaxiBubu, an innovative solution, aims to alleviate this congestion by connecting private car owners with commuters, offering a convenient alternative to overcrowded public transport. Through TaxiBubu, commuters can utilize available empty seats in private cars, reducing the strain on the city's public transport system and contributing to smoother, more efficient travel experiences for all residents.

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Daladala - (in Tanzania) a van or minibus that carries passengers for a fare as part of an informal transport system.

TaxiBubu is a carpooling platform designed to simplify daily commuting by connecting private car owners with riders heading in the same direction. Here's how it works:

For riders, the process begins by heading to their nearest bus stop, just as they would for a typical daladala ride. Upon arrival, they open the TaxiBubu Riders app, input their destination, and post a ride request. Meanwhile, drivers who are starting their commute simply turn on the TaxiBubu Drivers app, which displays a list of nearby ride requests along with the respective destinations. Drivers can then choose to pick up riders as they reach their designated bus stops, providing a convenient and efficient shared ride experience.

Our platform utilizes user-friendly mobile applications to facilitate seamless communication and coordination between drivers and riders. By leveraging technology to match commuters traveling along similar routes, TaxiBubu aims to optimize transportation resources, reduce traffic congestion, and promote sustainable commuting practices.

Our solution serves two key stakeholders: drivers and riders, each benefiting in distinct ways.

For drivers, TaxiBubu offers a unique opportunity to earn extra income during their daily commute. This additional income can help offset vehicle ownership expenses such as fuel and maintenance, thereby improving their financial well-being. Moreover, by facilitating carpooling, our solution contributes to reducing individual carbon footprints, aligning with the growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental conservation.

Riders, on the other hand, experience tangible improvements in their daily commute. Unlike traditional Daladala rides that make frequent stops, our carpooling service streamlines the journey, saving riders valuable time. By reducing congestion in Daladalas, our solution enhances overall commuting experiences by minimizing issues such as theft, injuries, and the chaotic scramble for bus seats.

Beyond our direct users, the broader community stands to benefit from TaxiBubu's impact. Cleaner air, resulting from reduced vehicle emissions, promotes public health and well-being. Moreover, the reduction in traffic congestion not only saves time for commuters but also enhances overall road safety and efficiency. These benefits align with broader urban planning goals, contributing to more sustainable and livable cities.

Lastly, government entities benefit from our solution as well. By alleviating traffic congestion and reducing the number of vehicles on the road, TaxiBubu helps to extend the lifespan of road infrastructure, ultimately lowering maintenance costs. Additionally, by supporting initiatives that mitigate climate change, our solution aligns with government efforts to promote sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Our team brings a unique blend of expertise and personal experience that positions us well to deliver this solution effectively.

PROCHES VARA, our team lead, is a health professional with a keen interest in computer programming. His daily commute of 60 kilometers, consuming over 4 hours on average, served as the catalyst for developing this solution. Motivated by the challenges faced by commuters in Dar es Salaam's public transport system, Piro leveraged his programming skills to create TaxiBubu, aiming to alleviate these challenges and improve commuting experiences for all.

NANCY ARBOGAST, an architect and urban designer, brings valuable insights from her experience in urban transport research. Her expertise enhances our understanding of the urban landscape and informs our solution's design and implementation, ensuring it aligns with the needs and dynamics of the communities we serve.

PRISCUS MBESEU, a computer science engineer, plays a crucial role in the technical development of our project. His expertise in fixing bugs and troubleshooting technical issues ensures that our platform operates smoothly and efficiently, enhancing the user experience for both drivers and riders.

Importantly, our team members are active users of the Daladala system themselves, commuting to their workplaces daily. This firsthand experience provides us with intimate knowledge of the challenges commuters face and allows us to empathize with our target population. Our solution is not only informed by community input but also driven by our personal experiences, ensuring that it effectively addresses the real needs and concerns of commuters in Dar es Salaam and the world at large.

Our focus on the prototype stage stems from the significant progress we've already made in building and testing our solution.

To date, we have developed mobile applications for both drivers and riders, available on both iOS and Android platforms. During our testing phase, our driver app garnered over 50 downloads, and we successfully recruited 50 drivers to participate in our initial testing phase. This allowed us to gather valuable feedback and insights into the functionality and usability of our platform from the perspective of drivers.

Simultaneously, our riders' app received an overwhelmingly positive response during testing. Despite limited funds for marketing and advertising, we witnessed a high level of interest from potential users eager to try out our platform. This enthusiastic response underscores the demand for our solution and demonstrates its potential to address the needs of commuters in Dar es Salaam.

By focusing on the prototype stage, we aim to leverage the momentum generated by our initial testing phase to further refine and optimize our solution before scaling it for broader implementation.

1. Networking: By applying to Solve, I aim to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs who share a passion for creating positive change. I believe that collaboration and knowledge-sharing with fellow innovators can provide valuable insights and perspectives to enhance our solution.

2. Skill Development: Solve presents an opportunity for me to further develop my programming skills, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity and UI design. Engaging with Solve's community and accessing relevant resources can help me acquire new technical expertise to strengthen our solution.

3. Legal Support: Addressing legal considerations, particularly regarding intellectual property issues, is crucial for the success and protection of our solution. Solve's platform can provide access to legal expertise and guidance to navigate these complexities effectively.

4. Data Collection and Analysis: Solve offers resources and support for improving data collection and analysis techniques. By leveraging Solve's expertise and tools in this area, we can enhance our ability to gather meaningful insights from user data and drive informed decision-making.

5. Financial Assistance: While financial support is not the sole focus of our application, securing resources for team expansion, backend development, and office expenses is essential for scaling our solution effectively. Solve's network of partners and potential funders can provide valuable opportunities for financial support and investment in our project's growth.

Our solution stands out for its innovative approach in leveraging the untapped resource of private car drivers commuting to the central business district (CBD) with empty seats. This unique model addresses the challenges faced by riders in accessing affordable transportation, particularly in areas where private taxis like Uber and Bolt are not financially viable options. By connecting private car owners with commuters, our solution offers a convenient and cost-effective alternative to crowded public buses (Daladalas).

Our approach significantly benefits riders who would otherwise face safety risks, longer commute times, and discomfort in overcrowded Daladalas. By utilizing existing resources efficiently, we aim to transform the commuting experience for both drivers and riders, enhancing convenience and safety while reducing the environmental impact of traditional transportation modes.

Moreover, our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts within the transportation space. By reducing congestion in Daladalas and optimizing private vehicle use, we contribute to improving urban mobility and reducing emissions. This not only benefits our immediate users but also the broader community by enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of transportation systems.

In the market landscape, our solution has the capacity to disrupt traditional commuting patterns and foster a community-driven approach to transportation. By building a network of drivers and riders, we envision a shift towards more sustainable and community-oriented transportation solutions. Ultimately, we aim to create lasting change by promoting accessibility, efficiency, and environmental sustainability in urban transportation.

TaxiBubu facilitates carpooling, offering commuters a practical alternative to traditional transportation methods.

1. By leveraging TaxiBubu, commuters can reduce pollution by increasing seat occupancy in private cars.
2. Through TaxiBubu, we aim to alleviate traffic congestion, enhancing overall mobility in urban areas.
3. TaxiBubu fosters social interactions by connecting commuters who share similar routes and destinations.
4. Women, in particular, stand to benefit from TaxiBubu, as it provides a safer and more convenient commuting option.
5. Drivers using TaxiBubu can save on transportation costs while contributing to a cleaner environment.
6. With TaxiBubu, commuters experience reduced commuting times, improving overall efficiency in their daily travels.

Our impact goals for TaxiBubu focus on reducing commuting time for riders, decreasing emissions, and increasing the number of private car drivers participating in our platform. We aim to achieve these goals by conducting surveys among private car drivers, riders, and daladala drivers to measure the following indicators: 

1. Commuting Time Reduction: We will track the average commuting time of riders using our platform compared to those relying solely on daladalas. 
2. Emission Reduction: We will monitor the reduction in carbon emissions resulting from fewer daladala routes and increased carpooling through TaxiBubu.
3. Driver Participation: We will assess the number of private car drivers actively participating in our platform through survey responses and registration data.

These impact goals align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 15: Life on Land

By measuring our progress against these impact goals, we aim to contribute to the broader objectives of sustainable development, environmental conservation, and social equity outlined in the UN SDGs framework.

Our solution harnesses the power of smartphone applications and Firebase Firestore technology at its core. By leveraging algorithms, we efficiently match drivers and riders based on their locations and destinations. This innovative approach represents a modern solution to twenty-first-century transportation challenges, utilizing cutting-edge technology to facilitate efficient and sustainable commuting practices.

3 people

Proches Vara - Full time

Nancy Arbogast - Part time

Priscus Mbeseu - Part time

2 and a half years

To ensure diversity and minimize barriers to opportunity within our team, we actively strive for inclusivity and gender balance. While Nancy is currently the sole female member, we are committed to expanding our team with diverse talents and perspectives.

Our team lead, Proches Vara, brings a unique blend of health expertise and programming skills. Inspired by his grueling daily commute, he spearheaded the development of TaxiBubu to address the challenges faced by commuters in Dar es Salaam.

Nancy Arbogast, with her background in architecture and urban design, enriches our team with valuable insights into urban transport dynamics. Her contributions ensure that TaxiBubu is tailored to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Priscus Mbeseu, our computer science engineer, plays a pivotal role in technical development. His expertise in bug fixing and troubleshooting enhances the functionality of TaxiBubu, ensuring a seamless experience for both drivers and riders.

As we continue to grow, diversity, equity, and inclusion remain central to our team's ethos. We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where all team members are valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique talents.

TaxiBubu's business model is built on providing value to both drivers and riders in Dar es Salaam. 

For drivers, TaxiBubu offers a platform to earn income during their daily commute, which can cover fuel, maintenance, and other vehicle ownership costs. By increasing vehicle seat occupancy, TaxiBubu also helps drivers reduce their carbon footprint.

Riders benefit from TaxiBubu by gaining access to a convenient mode of transport that saves time and offers a hassle-free experience, free from the congestion and inconvenience often associated with public transportation. This mode of transport comes at a fraction of the cost compared to private hire options like Uber and Bolt.

Additionally, TaxiBubu contributes value to the government by creating a new revenue stream from driver earnings and by reducing the wear and tear on infrastructure due to decreased traffic congestion.

TaxiBubu plans to generate revenue through a commission deducted from the fare paid by riders to drivers at the end of each trip. This commission, ranging from 15% to 25%, ensures sustainable growth and supports ongoing platform development.

TaxiBubu's primary revenue stream is derived from the commission charged on trip fares facilitated through our platform.

As we are currently in the prototype stage, we have not yet begun generating income. However, we are actively seeking funding through various sources, including participation in competitions such as MIT Solve, CRDB Bank's iMbeju Program 2023 and so forth to support the scaling of our service.

In the future, we plan to sustain our financial viability by continuing to charge commissions on trip fares, ensuring that our revenue streams align with our expected expenses and support ongoing platform development and growth.