In the bustling city of Bangalore, where tech startups bloom, one innovative solution is making a significant impact on airport travel. QuicReach, a startup founded by Shubham, is transforming the way people get to and from the airport by offering shared cab services that are 50% cheaper than traditional cab rides.
India’s Only Shared Cab Booking App
QuicReach is India’s only shared cab booking app, offering passengers an affordable way to travel to popular destinations within a city, such as airports, stations, and tourist spots, as well as for outstation rides. This platform aims to innovate the way people travel, making it both cost-effective and convenient.
A Problem Worth Solving
Shubham, a tech enthusiast, found himself constantly thinking about the high cost of airport travel. Despite his technical skills and experience with startups, Shubham realized that creating an affordable and safe airport travel solution required more than just an idea; it needed commitment and action. He spoke with numerous travelers at airports and discovered a common complaint: cab rides to the airport were excessively expensive.
Taking Action
Determined to solve this problem, Shubham envisioned an app that would allow people to share their cab rides with others heading in the same direction. This innovative approach promised to cut the cost of airport transfers by up to 50% and make the process more efficient. Balancing his job at a startup with his new project, Shubham soon realized that his idea required his full attention. After much contemplation, he left his job and invested all his time, effort, and savings into bringing his vision to lifeShubham, along with some friends, developed the QuicReach app for both users and drivers. The journey was challenging, filled with late nights and the use of almost all his savings. However, his dedication paid off, and QuicReach is now operational in Bangalore, receiving positive feedback from users. As the operation grew, Shubham was joined by two close friends, Aman Mishra and Pulkit, both former founders with over ten years of experience in building and managing consumer tech products. Their combined expertise significantly contributed to the development and management of QuicReach.
The QuicReach Timeline
- August 2023: Company Inception – QuicReach was founded with a vision to innovate the way people travel.
- December 2023: Beta Launch – The beta version of the app was launched with limited operations.
- January 2024: 1000+ Users – QuicReach onboarded over 1,000 users on its app.
- March 2024: 5K+ Users & 1K+ Rides Completed – QuicReach surpassed 5,000 users, completed over 1,000 rides, and onboarded more than 200 drivers.
Getting the First User
With the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) ready, Shubham faced the real challenge of onboarding drivers, attracting users, and ensuring their safety. Inspired by Paul Graham’s advice to recruit users manually, Shubham personally sought out users at bus stands and metro stations. His persistence paid off when he found the first user near the Tin Factory bus stand, marking the beginning of QuicReach’s journey.
How QuicReach Works
“Our goal is to provide hassle-free cab booking for airport pickups and drop-offs, offering a great ride experience at a low price through our shared cab platform. We are focused on airport travel for now, but we are also looking to serve users for intercity and intracity travel,” Shubham explained.
Getting Started with QuicReach
- Download the App: Available on both the Play Store and App Store.
- Sign Up: Use your mobile number and a few personal details.
- Schedule Your Ride: Enter your pickup and drop times, along with your flight details.
- Advance Payment: Pay up to 25% in advance to schedule your ride.
Once a user books a ride, QuicReach’s system looks for similar bookings and combines them into a shared ride. Verified drivers get ride notifications and can accept the rides based on their availability. Users are then notified with driver details to communicate directly. QuicReach maintains a 2-hour buffer to prevent last-minute cancellations, resulting in a cancellation rate of less than 2%.
Affordable and Reliable
Unlike other ride-hailing services that increase fares with surges and platform fees, QuicReach offers rides that are more than 50% cheaper. Shared rides to the airport start as low as ₹400, while personal rides are available for just ₹650.
About QuicReach
QuicReach is your go-to cab-sharing app for convenient and budget-friendly travel. With effortless cab sharing, you can save money while enjoying a comfortable ride with fellow travelers. Here’s how it works:
- Set Preferences: Start by setting your pickup/drop preferences, specifying the number of seats, and your travel schedule on the app.
- Optimize Travel: The app optimizes your travel, considering shared routes and preferences to lower costs by up to 60%.
- Connect and Track: Access ride and driver details, connect with your driver, and easily share and track your journey.
Guaranteed Comfort and Safety
QuicReach prioritizes your comfort and safety with guaranteed seating, stress-free experiences, and enhanced security through real-time tracking and robust emergency response systems.
Building Connections and Environmental Sustainability
QuicReach not only offers an affordable travel solution but also provides opportunities to connect with fellow travelers. By reducing the carbon footprint and easing traffic congestion, QuicReach contributes to a more sustainable future, helping to save the environment.
Business Model and Numbers
QuicReach’s business model focuses on fairness and affordability. It ensures fair pay for drivers and protects users from unpredictable pricing. Revenue comes from retaining a small percentage of each shared ride, ensuring sustainability while remaining affordable for users.
Since its launch in January 2024, QuicReach has served over 10,000 users and completed more than 2,000 trips. The company has saved customers over ₹20 lakh and reduced CO2 emissions by over 1,000 kg. Despite challenges, QuicReach has seen consistent organic growth of 50% month over month and has onboarded over 500 drivers in Bangalore.
QuicReach is redefining airport travel in Bangalore by offering an affordable, reliable, and eco-friendly solution through shared cabs. Shubham’s journey from identifying a common problem to developing a successful startup is a testament to the power of innovation and dedication. With its growing user base and positive impact on the environment, QuicReach is poised to become a significant player in the urban transportation sector. Next time you plan an airport trip, consider QuicReach for a cost-effective and hassle-free experience.
References:
- QuicReach Website
- User Testimonials
- Industry Reports on Shared Mobility Services