Rideshare Credit Proposal
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Written by: Tanmay Varshney, Ishwarya Iyer, Henry Jiang, Raymond Hao
The Problem: Last mile transportation has become a larger problem for refugee communities without the proper public transportation setup. It becomes even more difficult when these individuals are not properly introduced to the technologies and services available. Additionally, the high costs and barriers to entry in the rideshare space make it more unnattractive for refugees to participate.
Solution Statement: Rideshare Credits will address the lack of reliable, affordable, and on-demand microtransit by providing free credits on Lyft/Uber via free ride passes on the app
Goal: to establish a more flexible transit option that fits into the lives of refugees in Central Ohio and assists with last-mile transportation.
We chose this solution because we believe that there is a disparity between the usage of rideshare apps amongst the refugee community. There are many barriers to entry in this space, including having a driver’s license or ID card, using technology/cell phone, and even communicating with drivers when picked up. We want to do our best to introduce refugees to these rideshare apps and give them a reason to stay and continue using them.
We aim to make rideshare more accessible and usable for every refugee, and provide them with a safe space where they feel comfortable to try new things. Additionally, we hope that this can be implemented in areas with not only lots of refugees, but also refugee drivers who could benefit from the extra customers. Overall, we believe this idea could reach hundreds of refugees and truly benefit their lives, stay tuned for more specifics.
Is it measurable? In order to progress on various issues and topics, it is imperative that we establish a clear set of objectives and a measurable scale of achievement. By taking advantage of a diverse range of information and resources, we can substantiate the feasibility of our next steps. This will enable us to apply for funding from governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations that may be interested in sponsoring our program.
Our initial step involves reaching out to rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft, as well as local taxi services. We aim to incentivize these companies to participate in our service through the promise of governmental funding or tax reductions.
The success of our program not only hinges on its initiation but also on the implementation of a proposal that offers free ride credits or discounted rideshares. We propose offering various social benefits to taxpayers and sponsors of the program. To achieve this, we need to engage with top executives of the companies who are willing to adapt their business models to accommodate our program. By presenting them with reasonable proposals and ideas, we can work towards establishing a system of free credits or discounted rides. This will ultimately lead to negotiations and agreements that support our program.
Another challenge we face is determining the scope of our service. Defining who qualifies as a refugee is a complex issue. We must decide whether all individuals with refugee immigration status are considered beneficiaries, or if the service is only extended to new arrivals. This is a critical consideration as it directly impacts the size of our service and the validity of our plans.
Contacts of interest:
Uber
CEO of Uber: Dara Khosrowshahi, dara@uber.com
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Public Affairs of Uber: Jill Hazelbaker, jill@uber.com
Transit Partner, Matthew Di Taranto, matthew.ditaranto@uber.com
Lyft
CEO of Lyft: David Risher, david@lyft.com
President, Kristin Sverchek, ksverchek@lyft.com
Curb Mobility
CEO Amos Tamam, amos.tamam@gocurb.com
Risk & Mitigations:
Someone can take advantage of the program even if they are not refugees (How to identify refugees?)
Someone who has a referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for consideration as a refugee, then after being granted asylum in the United States, DHS issues a Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, to asylees.
Friendly Drivers
Drivers must go through special training that is designated to serve refugees, meanwhile, having surveillance cameras, etc. to monitor the status, having refugees give feedback at the end of the trip through the apps (mandatory) to improve the system, meanwhile, help the management team supervise the employees.
Contract
The most direct way is through modeling including ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue) with consistent cash flows, either paid by refugees or welfare organizations that make the contract sustainable for the rideshare companies. The assumptions input include residence and traveling patterns, traffic flow, etc. Eventually, the contract must make sense for both the rideshare companies and refugees/refugee sponsors.
Driver & Rider trust (payments & security)
Similar to the points mentioned above, the relationship must be built gradually in a reinforcing beneficial way for both sides to work. According to UNHCR, “over half of refugee households registered (53 percent) are poor before they receive humanitarian assistance.” Thus, for the majority of refugees who need financial assistance, there could be contracts established between sponsors and companies, or prepayments before the ride (which is what the majority of rideshare companies in the US are already doing).
As for security issues, 911 emergency dial, the surveillance system of the app that monitors the live status of both sides, as well as other attainable measures that prevent both drivers and riders from being hostile in any way.
Employment:
If a certain number of fixed refugee employees within a company generates enough value for the employer, or provides consistent quality work (recurring revenue), by providing secure means of transportation could certainly further generate more consistent cash flows, and potentially attract more refugee workers. Signing a reasonable annual contract with companies like Uber would solidify the trust between refugees and the employer, as well as attendance. For instance, on average an Uber driver makes $18.44 per hour in Columbus Ohio, and to make them more incentivized, we pay $19 wage, about 2–5 hours per day dropping off and picking up refugee employees depending on the distance, since company refugee amount varies, for SMB we input 20 refugee employees, for about 260 workdays, a base annual contract (before any additional payments including perhaps maintenance fee and adjustments) would be anywhere from $197,600 to $494,000 with various of working hours (uber drivers) input.
Basically, if refugee laborers generate enough revenue for the company for the number to make sense, contracts are certainly beneficial in so many ways. Otherwise, average out some of the costs and offer a slightly lower wage but free transportation to refugee workers might also work.
Relevant Information:
Expected Result: The transportation service envisions a multifaceted impact. It anticipates heightened service utilization as the benefits attract more users. This, in turn, is expected to trigger a notable increase in driver applications, propelled by the appeal of the company’s values. A significant by-product is the creation of a more comfortable transportation environment specifically tailored to the needs of refugees in a new country. The envisioned interaction between refugees and drivers aims to foster a sense of community, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere.
Value Added: For users, the service promises tangible benefits, including improved commute efficiency and a more seamless, cost-effective transportation solution. The incorporation of features like nationality matching further enhances the user experience, providing a heightened sense of comfort and community. On the provider side, the initiative introduces a variety of advantages. It has the potential to tap into a new market segment, leading to an increase in user numbers. The positive impact on user experience is expected to result in recurring revenue. Beyond financial gains, the initiative is likely to generate positive publicity, further enhancing the company’s reputation.
Relevant Features: The implementation integrates several key features to optimize the last-mile transportation service for refugees. A monthly allotment of free credits for adults aims to make the service not only accessible but also financially feasible. The driver-passenger matching system ensures a personalized and comfortable experience for both parties. Nationality matching is a unique feature allowing passengers to choose drivers with shared backgrounds, fostering a sense of familiarity. Integration with popular ridesharing platforms like Uber and Lyft enables efficient carpooling with refugees of the same nationality.
Advanced technological features include an in-app message translator, facilitating seamless communication between passengers and drivers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The focus on security is evident through measures such as in-car microphones and CCTV, prioritizing the safety of both drivers and passengers. Collaborations with organizations offering driving learning programs provide refugees with valuable skills for better integration into society. Partnerships with religious organizations further extend the scope of services, encompassing driving courses and shuttle services for religious activities and daily needs.
Goal and Expectations: The overarching goal of this initiative is to comprehensively address the last-mile transportation needs of refugees, facilitating access to essential services like grocery shopping and work. Expectations associated with this goal include an improvement in commute efficiency and cost minimization for users. For providers, the initiative aims to achieve not only increased user numbers but also an enhanced overall user experience, establishing a steady stream of recurring revenue. Public funding is actively considered as a potential avenue for supporting and sustaining this socially impactful initiative.
Timeline: Our action plan consists of a few key steps which will take different amounts of time depending on a lot of factors. The first step is to take this project proposal to the correct individuals at Uber or Lyft and begin discussing how we can put this plan to action. Uber and Lyft have both been known to provide programs similar to this to other non-profit organizations so the structure of it has been tested and has some precedents. Therefore we think this process will take a moderate amount of time, as there will be some negotiation and work to be done with those individuals once this proposal has been pitched. Considering that all goes well with the first step, it is our job to find out how these credits can be applied and which areas they would benefit the most. Finding out how to actually put these credits to use and disperse them will take a relatively little amount of time as data for refugee communities is accessible and can be found with government access. This is the first stage of our plan which is relatively straightforward. After this, we also want to implement a driver-rider matching program which makes it more culturally inviting to customers, along with a driver training program to assist this. These would both take heavy amounts of time as they are completely new and require a lot of planning and new types of employees. These would also require the first stage of our program to be working very well.
Other ways to help：
Driving learning Programs
Programs that utilize volunteers and drivers during their free time could significantly aid refugees in learning driving skills, a crucial aspect of adapting to American society. The state Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) could further facilitate this process by making driving permits more accessible to new immigrants. This could be achieved by offering driving permit tests in multiple languages, including but not limited to Ukrainian and Arabic. However, simply offering tests in multiple languages is not sufficient. The quality of the translation is equally important to ensure that the content is accurate and easily understandable. Currently, many of the translations resemble machine translations and lack the nuance of native speech.
To address this issue, the application of advanced AI language models, such as Slator or DeepL, could significantly improve the quality of translations. Our editors have noted that the Chinese version of the test contains several errors and inaccuracies in terminology. Therefore, these tests must be thoroughly reviewed and corrected to ensure accuracy. Finally, considering that some new immigrants may not be familiar with technology, it would be beneficial to offer a paper version of the knowledge test. This would ensure that all individuals, regardless of their familiarity with technology, have equal access to these resources. Based on our current knowledge, through the combined efforts of volunteer programs, the state BMV, and the application of advanced AI models, we can significantly improve the driving learning experience for new immigrants, thereby aiding their integration into American society.
Help from Religious institutions
Religious organizations, particularly those that share cultural ties with refugees, can play a vital role in introducing a variety of programs aimed at easing the transition for these individuals into their new communities. One such program could be driving courses, which not only equip refugees with a crucial skill but also enhance their independence and mobility within their new environment in the United States. In addition to driving courses, these organizations could also offer shuttle services. These services could be utilized for transportation to religious activities, thereby fostering a sense of community and belonging among the refugees. Furthermore, these shuttle services could extend to cover the daily needs of the refugees, such as grocery shopping. This would not only ease their transition but also ensure their access to essential services and goods. To ensure the sustainability and expansion of these programs, public funding could be sought. This could be facilitated through partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on refugee support. Local governments could also be engaged to contribute towards these initiatives, recognizing the role they play in promoting social cohesion and integration within their jurisdictions. Moreover, these transportation-focused programs could be supplemented with other support mechanisms. For example, language classes could be offered to help refugees better communicate in their new environment. Job placement programs could also be implemented to help refugees find employment and achieve financial independence.
In general, religious organizations, with the support of NGOs and local governments, can play a critical role in supporting refugees. Through a combination of educational programs, transportation services, and additional support mechanisms, these organizations can help ease the transition for refugees and promote their integration into their new communities.
