Carpooling via WhatsApp gains traction | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp carpooling groups are becoming a popular solution in Islamabad for traffic, high fuel costs, and unreliable public transport.
- The groups facilitate both local daily commutes and long-distance travel coordination among members.
- Users report substantial financial savings, with costs being split among regular co-riders.
- Carpooling offers a more reliable alternative to traditional transport and ride-hailing apps during peak times.
- The groups also serve a social function, enabling networking and the formation of new friendships among diverse professionals.
In response to persistent urban challenges such as severe traffic congestion, unreliable public transportation, and escalating fuel prices, residents of Islamabad are adopting WhatsApp carpooling groups as an effective, unconventional solution. These community-driven chat groups facilitate both daily office commutes within Islamabad and Rawalpindi and longer journeys to destinations like Lahore, Swat, or Murree. Users post their travel plans, and arrangements for splitting costs and coordinating rides are quickly settled, often within minutes. Active participants highlight significant financial savings, with one engineer reducing monthly travel costs from Rs60,000 to Rs20,000. Furthermore, these groups offer a reliable alternative to struggling with ride-hailing apps during peak hours and provided crucial relief during chaotic holiday travel periods, as exemplified by a user saving a significant amount on an Eidul Azha trip. Beyond economics, users emphasize the social benefits, noting that carpooling fosters networking and friendship among professionals and students.
