Definitely it would work. Its already working for the group from Rongai as @Grace mentioned.

The variables change when you want to do it commercially with a mass market target. It is these changed variables that need to be mitigated.

I am not a nay sayer, just asking all the difficult questions which will eventually crop up.

Just because Uber, Little Cab and Airbnb are successful doesn't necessarily mean a similar venture for car pooling would work (or not).

But then again, Kenyans are known for innovative solutions to obstacles...

On Fri, Nov 4, 2016 at 12:03 PM, Patrick Kariuki <patrick.kariuki@gmail.com> wrote:

Well, if your point is that such a venture is costly to setup in Kenya then you're right, but on whether it would work if developed and funded, yes it would and it’d be a hit despite a couple of incidences and the usual naysayers.   

On Fri, Nov 4, 2016 at 8:05 AM, Peter Karunyu via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Airbnb has a host guarantee programme of upto USD$1m, incase your house gets trashed by guests. Remember, they are valued at USD$25b, so they can provide this sort of guarantee. Granted, they say "We require verified information from both hosts and guests, including phone numbers...". I am not sure what guarantee they offer to guests. Both guests and hosts can review each other, and those verified reviews are available to future guests and hosts.

Having an ID and a photo is just one risk mitigation measure. It should NOT be the only one.

> With this information stored somewhere ...Law Enforcement can easily work backwards when investigating an incident. 

There are three parties here; driver/owner of the car, passengers and the company offering this service. Now, if an incident happens and either the driver or passengers get injured or lose property, or the car gets damaged, whose responsibility will it be to prod and push our law enforcement to investigate to the end? And once the culprit is apprehended, what sort of refund mechanism is there?

Who bears the greatest responsibility in this scenario?

On Thu, Nov 3, 2016 at 9:12 PM, francis irungu via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Everything is built with risk..the level of risk in a carpool is high however the way to reduce it is to build capabilities in it that allow you to reduce it.having ID and photo ID of the users creates identity. Options to add followers n not necessarily riders to track your movement reduces risk further.

Airbnb has been overly successful yet people invite strangers everyday into their homes.

On Nov 3, 2016 17:39, "Chris Ochieng" <jangita.nyagudi@gmail.com> wrote:

how would an id and pic help?

ᐧ

On 3 November 2016 at 15:02, francis irungu via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

In handling security, have each user (drivers n riders) upload their picture &National ID. This info is available whenever u confirm a ride. Guys hitch riders to western kenya every day with strangers they have no clue about...matatu carries strangers n still works alright

On Nov 3, 2016 11:25, "Mark Mwangi via skunkworks" <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Details of driver and passengers is very important. The more the better. Whats there to hide anyway?

On Thu, Nov 3, 2016 at 10:06 AM, Peter Karunyu <pkarunyu@gmail.com> wrote:

Security is the single biggest obstacle. 

One way of overcoming it is if you all know each other.

On Thu, Nov 3, 2016 at 9:45 AM, Athar Ahmad Bhatti via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Ok and how would you handle security.

Athar Ahmad Bhatti
+254726488311

On Thu, Nov 3, 2016 at 9:43 AM +0300, "b bundi via skunkworks" <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Yeah a carpooling platform for the kenyan market - where private car owners can choose to share a ride and split the cost.

 I think those western platforms fail with all the details they require from drivers...

keep it simple .

i have a car - this make ..
 am headed this way at time x ..

have x empty seats .. lets carpool

no credit cards no nothing

On Thu, Nov 3, 2016 at 9:11 AM, Mark Mwangi via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Sounds like an idea that if well implemented would be solid. This is a niche that Little can go into seeing as it is by a local company. But NTSA may have an issue as this can also be a mat that sits outside an office eg Upperhill and gets riders on a particular route.  

On Wed, Nov 2, 2016 at 8:29 AM, francis irungu via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Is it that these companies marketing strategies are not so good since they are not as popular or is our culture on cost sharing and generally sharing not supportive of car pooling?

Franc

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 7:02 PM, Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

There is a group in Rongai that carpools.... But we know each other and we don't charge but everyone puts in something for the trip.
I think it would work for peak hours.... Especially if there was a way to people taking a different (not to town) route eg Ronga to Westlands.....
Best

On Nov 1, 2016 10:08, "Patrick Kariuki via skunkworks" <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

More links,

https://www.gocarma.com/carpool/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiRNRm4Ar9A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiCRM2c4T84&feature=youtu.be

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 1:41 PM, francis irungu <francisirungu@gmail.com> wrote:

Why not simplify it.
Register drivers with cars.they post route and approx time from and to...users register as well.they see available rides on prefered route.they request to get a ride...once u on a ride, u see the driver profile and people with whom u are car pooling...for added security..u can register a kin who sees who you riding with.

On Nov 1, 2016 12:20, "Patrick Kariuki" <patrick.kariuki@gmail.com> wrote:

Requesting is likely to be done from the offices, pickup space away from alot of human and vehicle traffic, then a route plan to get to the destination in the shortest time possible using information from incidence and traffic updates.

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 12:08 PM, Peter Karunyu <pkarunyu@gmail.com> wrote:

This would work quite well if the requesters are in the same vicinity, i.e. work colleagues who live near where you do.

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 12:01 PM, Patrick Kariuki via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Thanks for the link Franc, very insightful.

• Request
• Chill <---kickass algorithm required here. makes sense to have have pre-bookings 1hr or 30mins before a trip with an invite function (that should reduce the pickup time should the car/van fill up). Pickup space required for a large number of people. Cancellation and delay fees costings.    
• Go

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 11:36 AM, francis irungu <francisirungu@gmail.com> wrote:

Isn't this what Lyft is meant to do: https://www.lyft.com/

Franc

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 10:52 AM, Patrick Kariuki via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

My point exactly. A cheaper and safer way to get home.

A trip to Rongai would cost more solo or with 2 other people but would reduce greatly with a 7 seater. The larger the vehicle, the cheaper it gets.

If its going to be a hassle to get CCTVs installed and managed by saccos for nganyas some innovation is required. Some of these incidences are getting very ugly. 

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 10:23 AM, Peter Karunyu <pkarunyu@gmail.com> wrote:

I thought you would pay more to ride alone, and pay less to car pool?

On Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 10:18 AM, Patrick Kariuki via skunkworks <skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke> wrote:

Would a car pooling function with people movers make sense during rush hour and evenings (before 9PM) ? They'd pay abit more but its worth it for those carrying laptops and smartphones around.

• Book the trip an hour before
• Cancellation fees applies
• Designated pickup point in the city
  

Just a thought... you could always backup your data in the cloud and insure the smartphone and laptop

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