Austin Traffic App Launches New Carpooling Feature

Metropia implements DUO feature to incentivize and reward carpoolers

AUSTIN, Texas–Metropia, Inc., creators of the mobile app system to alleviate traffic congestion, today announced the release of DUO (Driving Up Occupancy), a new feature to the app that rewards both drivers and passengers across Austin with additional points when they actively choose to cut down on traffic and harmful CO2 emissions by sharing a ride.

“They have hit the nail on the head—by being the only app that incentivizes drivers and passengers, citizens will be more likely to maintain and continue to adopt better commuting habits.”

“With DUO, we are incentivizing and rewarding those who participate in casual carpooling because their actions can significantly reduce the number of cars on the road,” said Mia Zmud, vice president of ecosystem partnerships at Metropia. “Now friends, families, co-workers and more can take action by carpooling and be rewarded with additional points that can be cashed in at local businesses like Tacodeli and Luke’s Locker.”

By using an analysis of GPS coordinates, DUO pinpoints passengers and drivers traveling along an identical route at identical speeds and at the same time. By comparing that data, Metropia can confirm driver-passenger pairs and assign reward points—no pre-matching required. Drivers are awarded extra points for each DUO passenger, while passengers have the opportunity to “spin the prize wheel” and garner additional points to use toward the Metropia merchant store.

“Metropia demonstrates the type of innovative solutions for commuters and employers that are essential for the success of Mayor Adler’s ‘Year of Mobility’ campaign in Austin,” said Andy Cantu, director of regional mobility for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. “They have hit the nail on the head—by being the only app that incentivizes drivers and passengers, citizens will be more likely to maintain and continue to adopt better commuting habits.”

Metropia was launched in Austin, Texas with support from the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

Since 2011, Metropia users have collectively reduced C02 emissions by 430,000 lbs and planted 4,515 trees.

To learn more about Metropia, visit www.metropia.com. To download the app, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play.

About Metropia, Inc.

Metropia, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, is a GovTech 100 company whose mission is to make cities better places to live by reducing traffic congestion. The Metropia mobile platform incentivizes commuters to make better travel decisions independently and through casual carpooling with the DUO feature. The Metropia app is available for free through the Apple App Store and Google Play. To learn more, visit www.metropia.com.