SWVL: Easing your daily commute

CAIRO – 8 August 2017: Launched in March 2017, the bus service SWVL is revolutionizing daily commutes.

Similar to Uber and Careem, SWVL is a mobile application that takes you where you want to go. The significant difference is that while other companies provide cars, SWVL provides small buses, making them a cheaper alternative.

Founded by Mohamed Nouh, Mostafa Eissa and Ahmed al-Sabbah, SWVL provides people heading in the same direction at the same time with buses for low fares, also easing the congestion of Cairo and Giza roads.

Eissa, who used to work for Careem as a market launcher, said the idea came to him in a “rare light bulb moment”, reported AUC Venture Lab.

The idea came following the stagnant tourism after the January 25 revolution, according to Nouh. There were several buses that just did not have anywhere to go and the three thought of utilizing those buses for long commutes in Cairo and Giza. Other longer routes to Dahab and Ain Sokhna are also offered through the application.

“There are buses going from downtown Cairo to the fifth settlement, for example,” Nouh said, “and also to 6th of October City, Maadi and many other places.” He added that the distances can be 10 kilometers or less.

Nouh stated that the company is licensed by the government as a mode of group transportation, with agreed upon routes.

In July, the ride-hailing service, Careem invested $500,000 in SWVL, and its Chief Experience Officer, Magnus Olsson took a board seat in SWVL.

The company currently has 200 buses and 50,000 monthly users, reported Reuters. The company is targeting 300,000 monthly trips by the end of 2017.