Shuttlers launches Pod, a shared door-to-door ride service in Lagos

Shuttlers, a shared mobility company in Nigeria, has introduced a new service called Shuttlers Pod. The service offers scheduled, door-to-door rides for commuters in Lagos. Commuters can sign up for the waitlist at shuttlers.co/pod.

Shuttlers Pod operates differently from typical ride-hailing services. Instead of booking a ride when you need it and paying the current fare, you book your trips in advance. The service groups riders travelling in the same direction, with up to four people sharing one car.

This means everyone gets picked up at their specific location and dropped off at their destination. If you prefer privacy, you can also book the entire vehicle just for yourself.

With every Pod trip, you’ll have a named driver called a “Pilot,” a fixed fare that you agree on when booking, and guaranteed pickup, meaning no surge pricing surprises. Because of the bookings and route matching, Shuttlers claims each Pod trip costs about 50% less than typical ride-hailing fares.

Damilola Olokesusi, CEO and Co-Founder of Shuttlers, said, “As the cost of living in Nigeria rises faster than incomes, shared mobility is the most efficient way to transport people. Shuttlers Pod offers safe and affordable shared or private trips right from your doorstep to your destination.”

What makes Pod different from Shuttlers’ existing services

The mobility company has been operating scheduled shared buses in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt since 2016. The company recently celebrated reaching 10 million completed journeys, with over 430 buses running daily on 400 routes. They serve more than 50,000 professionals for their daily commutes and were the first private mobility operator in Nigeria to be listed on Google Maps Transit.

While the bus service works well for fixed routes, getting to a bus stop in areas with poor infrastructure can be a hassle for commuters, leading many to pay extra for private cars.

To address this, Shuttlers Pod combines the scheduled, shared bus model with private rides. Instead of needing to go to a bus stop, Pod picks you up at your front door. It’s more comfortable than a bus, cheaper than a private ride-hailing service, and offers the reliability of knowing your fare and pickup time ahead of your journey.

Similar read: Breaking: inDrive pledges long-term commitment to Nigeria after Uber’s exit

Pod complements the company’s existing offerings, like Shuttlers Daily for regular commuters, Shuttlers for Business for employee transport with live tracking, Shuttlers Rental for vehicle hire, and EventGo for event transportation.

This launch comes at a significant time for Nigeria’s mobility sector, following Uber’s decision to cease operations in the country on September 2. This marked the end of Uber’s 12-year presence in Nigeria, leaving Bolt and other local services as the main ride-hailing options.

The new service isn’t a direct replacement for Uber; it’s designed for planned journeys rather than spontaneous calls. For Lagos commuters who travel regular routes, it offers a unique service focused on predictability and shared costs, something that neither Uber nor Bolt provides.

Read also:How pricing, competition forced Uber’s shut down in Nigeria after 12 years