Maha Shahzad, at the age of 19, faced the challenges of commuting that inspired her to create BusCaro, a startup aiming to provide safe and reliable transportation solutions in Pakistan. The company recently secured $1.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Orbit Startups, along with participation from Wahed Ventures and angel investors from the mobility sectors.
BusCaro employs a unique B2B2C model, partnering with institutions like universities and factories to offer reliable transportation for students and workers. The platform ensures rider safety through features such as driver background checks, vehicle inspections, emergency response teams, and a 24/7 customer support team. Specialized features, like allowing women to use a masked name, address the safety concerns of female passengers.
Since its launch in 2022, BusCaro has expanded its operations in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, currently managing over 300 vehicles and handling over 20,000 bookings daily. The startup aims to become profitable by early 2024, recently reaching $2.5 million in revenue.
Maha Shahzad, previously associated with ride-hailing app Careem and Swvl, founded BusCaro to address the significant problem of commuting in Pakistan, especially for women. The startup’s innovative B2B model, partnering with corporate and academic organizations, has reduced customer acquisition costs to almost zero.
BusCaro’s mission is to offer safe and affordable daily commute options, particularly crucial in a country where public transportation is insufficient and often unsafe. The startup’s advantages include aggregating demand, stabilizing and optimizing supply payouts, and offering competitive prices by utilizing buses and minivans.
In a statement, Orbit Startups Managing General Partner William Bao Bean emphasized the importance of BusCaro in promoting diversity and inclusion by providing safe and cost-effective transportation options for women and men, contributing to economic opportunities.
BusCaro plans to expand its B2B2C partnerships, explore B2C collaborations, and work with the public sector on transportation subsidies and government contracts. The startup is also considering adding electric vehicles to its fleet in the coming year to address rising fuel prices.
