The Mission

The mission at Strive is to develop a hyperlocal, student-based carpooling platform. On one side, there are university students in need of a ride, at a specific time and date. On the other side, there are university students who own a car, and are willing to take student passengers along their travelling journey, for a financial compensation. In addition to carpooling, the connection of driving students who own a car with those who do not allows for further utilization of transportation methods. This includes object transport services and moving assistance. At Strive, we aim to create a place where students share their drive, not just in the context of mobility. Through targeted service features, our vision is to provide a student networking experience that allows the journey to continue after the ride ends.

The Challenge

The international student community at Maastricht University consists of many individuals travelling to nearby cities including Brussels, Eindhoven and Düsseldorf. Trains and busses are transportation methods used by many students, which regardless present inconveniences such as high costs, unreliable scheduling and lack of flexibility. Carpooling offers a cheaper, faster and more coordinated transportation alternative. Based on a preliminary survey conducted on 100 UM students, common concerns regarding the use of existing carpooling platforms (eg. Blablacar) include safety, awkwardness and lack of common ground with drivers from different age groups. At Maastricht University, carpooling services often exist in the form of student WhatsApp group-chats. However, these chats suffer from lack of responses (leading to frustration in students trying to arrange rides) besides being focused only on specific locations (showing difficulties to accommodate students traveling from various areas). Furthermore, the language used for communication in these group-chats varies based on the country of target destination, often creating a non-inclusive environment for international students seeking carpooling options. Considering the aforementioned points, it comes with no surprise that while 65% of surveyed students express interest in carpooling, only 1.2% actually use it. On the other hand, more than 80% of surveyed students who own cars show willingness to carpool, motivated by cost savings and environmental benefits. This highlights the significant demand for a student-based carpooling platform, which is not yet fulfilled.

The solution

Strive is a hyperlocal, student-based carpooling platform, connecting the two student parties (riders & drivers) through a mobile app. What’s in it for the student drivers? Student drivers can publish their planned car trips on the strive app, with a set price per passenger. In addition to sharing gas costs, student drivers get company during the ride. By building a profile including their interests, study program and other information of choice, drivers can enhance their user credibility on the app. What’s in it for the student riders? Student riders can use the Strive app to customize their ride of choice. By entering the start & end location, date and time, riders are directed to a page with matching transport options published by student drivers. Ride payments are made through the app and, upon approval, riders can have direct communication with the picked student driver. To further enhance safety, student riders can rate the drivers at the end of the trip. In addition to carpooling services, Strive allows students who do not own a car to request object transportation, offered by students driving to their location of interest. When it comes to transportation services, Strive allows students in need of a car to request moving assistance within and between nearby cities.