Commut was the brainchild of six IIIT-H alumni

Hyderabad-based bus-shuttle app Commut has been acquired by Dubai-based ride-hailing app Careem Networks FZ. The value of the deal has not been disclosed. Commut was started by six alumni of IIIT-Hyderabad about three years ago.

“As per our deal with Careem, we are supposed to shut down the local operations and launch Careem Bus in MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) region,” said a spokesperson of Commut. “The Indian operations have been handed over to Shuttl in a separate deal,” said the spokesperson, when asked about continuing operations of the service in Hyderabad. Cummut currently services 50 routes using 70 buses.

Started in November 2015 by IIIT-H students Hemanth Jonnalagadda, Prashanth Garapati, Charan Thota, Sandeep Kachavarapu, Akshay Chennupati and Srujai Varikuti, Commut has been a successful startup, which transitioned from idea to reality. Last year, Commut was selected for MAN Accelerator Programme. “Joining Careem and building the mass transportation vertical will help us fulfil our mission at a much larger scale,” said Prashanth Garapati, one of the founding members of the startup.

“Mass transportation is one of the biggest issues facing many fast-growing cities in our region. Commut has a successful track record in mass transportation, and we are excited to bring their expertise into the Careem family,” said Magnus Olsson of Careem.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – September 25th, 2018