(Representational image above)

We’ve all experienced it — standing on the side of a busy road, multiple eyes scanning for one share auto to take us to our destination in a quick and cost-effective manner. For those who depend on these autos daily, the wait often feels endless.

The unpredictability of when an auto will arrive, and whether there’s even space to squeeze in, can turn into a source of frustration. For students rushing to class or professionals heading to work, these delays can quickly disrupt schedules, making an already hectic day even more challenging.

Jaishankar, 23, was no stranger to this daily struggle. “Relying on share autos every day was frustrating because reaching my destination on time was a gamble I took,” he recalls. Determined to do something about it, Jaishankar teamed up with his tech-savvy friends, Amal Leon and Asfaq Jalal, and created two apps — QPo Driver and QPo Shareride. The idea was to track and share autos’ locations and enhance travel convenience for both passengers and drivers.

From idea to product

For Jaishankar, an alumnus of St Joseph’s Institute of Technology, these yellow vehicles were his go-to during college. “I used to travel by share auto as it was light on my wallet and I reached my destination quickly,” he recalls.

Jaishankar’s experience is shared by nearly five lakh people who rely on share autos daily, especially college students and working professionals. A typical share auto accommodates seven to nine passengers, though drivers often stretch capacity during peak hours. Their ability to navigate narrow streets and dodge traffic jams makes them indispensable to the urban commute.

“You can get on and off wherever you want, which is tricky in a bus or a metro and affordability becomes the USP in share autos. If you want to travel for 20 kms, you just have to spend around Rs 100,” shares Jaishakar.