The Challenge:

Colombo's urban slums are plagued by frequent flooding, disrupting daily life and the existing transportation network, which severely limits residents' access to essential services. Ravi, a local social entrepreneur with a vision for sustainable urban mobility, recognized the need for a resilient and flexible transportation solution that could adapt to the community's changing needs in real-time. Click here to verify

"Facing the challenge of flooding, we see an opportunity for innovative transit solutions that keep our community moving," - Ravi (Social Entrepreneur)

The Solution:

Ravi proposed an on-demand, flexible transit service, using dynamic routing and an app for easy booking and payments. This service aimed to offer a tailored transportation experience, with a fleet of different vehicle sizes to match passenger demand and ensure seamless integration with the city's main transport systems.

"We're building a transit service that adapts to the people, ensuring accessibility no matter the weather,"- Priya (Lead Developer)

The Implementation:

Ravi's vision came to life through an iterative process, starting with the development and testing of the necessary technology to support dynamic scheduling and real-time vehicle tracking. A pilot program was launched, carefully evaluated to refine the service based on user feedback and operational data. The project prioritized vehicle procurement that aligned with the community's needs and conducted extensive staff training to ensure high-quality service. Following the pilot's success, the service was rolled out on a full scale, supported by vigorous community outreach and promotional campaigns to encourage widespread adoption.

"Seeing our community quickly adopt and rely on this service has been profoundly rewarding. It's a testament to what we can achieve when we listen and adapt to the needs of our residents," - Lakshmi (Community Outreach Coordinator)

The Impact:

The new transit service has been pivotal in setting up emergency and educational hubs in the slums, benefiting over 1,500 residents by providing reliable access to critical services. In just six months, it supported the creation of temporary schools and health centers, ensuring ongoing education for 300 children and vital healthcare for the elderly and sick.

"This service has transformed our streets from obstacles to avenues of opportunity, fundamentally changing our way of life," - Anil (a frequent user)

Lessons Learned:

• Adaptive Technology Use: Highlighted the vital role of technology in creating dynamic routing and scheduling systems that can quickly adapt to changing environmental conditions and community needs.

• Pilot Program Insights: Demonstrated the value of launching pilot programs for gathering real-time feedback, which is essential for refining and scaling innovative transit solutions.

• Community Engagement for Service Adoption: Emphasized the importance of deeply involving the community in the development process to ensure the service meets their specific needs and boosts adoption rates.