RIDES BETWEEN THE GAPS: AN ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH TO CARPOOLING TO SOLVE MOBILITY GAPS IN THE NORTHEAST
Intercity travels in the Northeast face significant mobility gaps, particularly for university students and underserved populations, who often rely on costly and inefficient transportation options. A carpooling solution was developed to address this issue, offering an affordable, reliable, and community-driven alternative. The Revy Carpool pilot, along with over 150 user interviews and rides given to over 40 passengers at Cornell, validated the demand for carpooling, with initial acquisition driven by targeted outreach and social connections within the university. This paper examines key aspects of the platform’s development, including marketing channels, market size, and competitive analysis. It also reviews past carpooling initiatives, highlighting the unique value proposition of this solution. The paper explores customer relationships, key resources, partnerships, revenue models, and cost structure, providing a comprehensive platform scaling framework. Ultimately, the findings offer a roadmap to address intercity mobility challenges, with potential for regional and national expansion.