PickMe engages with communities through crowdsourcing

PickMe, Sri Lanka’s own taxi hailing service through a mobile app, has come up with some unique models to create energy within their ecosystem. The mode of sourcing quick and efficient transportation is all about developing communities between the consumer and the supplier of services. PickMe CEO Zulfer Jiffry says that as much as providing a taxi service, the company also believes in engaging with its communities which in part is connected to their corporate social responsibility programs.

Their involvement in ‘Trail 2016’ was one such success; Zulfer says, “Whilst we made our contributions for Trail, we were also able to sensitise our customers to contribute in a small way towards this worthy cause.” Rs. 5 from every cab ride booked through the app within the Colombo city, was donated towards assisting the cancer patients in Sri Lanka. Whilst the customers did not actually pay for this they contributed by taking the rides.

Crowdsourcing has become a powerful way of sourcing funds and it is tied up with the social responsibility programs of the corporate sector. It is a practice of engaging a group for a common goal and increasing the input into a particular task or project. The internet and social media have played a key role in implementing the strategy.

The app used crowdsourcing, more specifically crowdfunding to raise awareness of the event, at the same time helping Trail to achieve their targets. While promoting the brand, this idea gave the youth the satisfaction of at least indirect community service. “This is a first for Sri Lanka and it would be a platform for more innovative concepts,” stated the CEO who added that their developers are trying their best to expand to accommodate the older generation as well. He believes that the increasing user friendly software would eventually draw the attention of the middle-aged people.

PickMe is an app that allows you to choose your mode of transport through your mobile phone, and brings your pick up right to your doorstep. Having launched in June 2015, the startup has rapidly developed and established itself in the market. The use of modern technology, the constant updates in icons, accuracy and the increased convenience for passengers are the primary reasons for the app to stabilise itself.

The Trail initiative isn’t the first of its kind for PickMe. Earlier this year, the company came up with an SOS app to rescue flood victims. The GPS in the phone guided the boat rescuers and air lifters to identify the location of isolated victims. In addition, they partnered with a television station to pick up dry rations from the houses that were willing to donate and distributed them to the regions that had submerged under water.

The team claims that their efforts don’t stop with that. All PickMe drivers were requested to be available for an extra hour on 2 December to face the higher demand for vehicles due to bus strikes. “Our customers are our priority, we are ready to go the extra mile to be of service to them,” says the CEO.

PickMe’s Trail initiative is a good example for advanced applications combined with user-friendly techniques acting as a tool for the progress of our society.