PUNE:

Technology startups are leading a revival of carpooling led by demand for safer and simpler ways to travel within grid-locked Indian cities. These companies are using a combination of mobile applications, secure messaging and tracking technology that is proving to be attractive for harried urban commuters. 

In the past year at least half a dozen startups have come up that link car owners travelling to similar destinations in technology hubs such as Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad,  .. 

"Organising carpooling services for large companies has helped boost our user base,' said Vipul Kasera, 30, founder of CommuteEasy, a Bangalore-based company that has about 35,000 users from companies, including MindtreeBSE 0.95 %, Dr Reddy's and Tosco, that pay an annual subscription fee for the service. 

"We believe this offers a potential to have about 30,000 cars pooling rides every working day," said Raghu Ramanujam, 43, founder of PoolCircle, who is in talks with 11 companies to offer his services. The company aims to have 2.5 lakh users by the end of next year by spreading services across Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, NCR, Pune and Ahmedabad. Companies who opt for carpooling service can choose from various subscription models ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 10 lakh annually. 

by:economictimes.indiatimes.com