Getting from point A to point B shouldn’t be complicated or expensive, especially not for students already balancing studies, budgets and living busy lives. Yet, for many students in Finland, transportation is costly, unreliable, and isolating. What if the solution wasn’t just about getting somewhere, but about getting there together? In this article we define the possible solution: carpooling concept explicitly designed for students, not only to reduce costs and carbon emissions but also to build stronger human connections within the university community.
The problem: more than distance
Despite Finland’s progress in public transportation and sustainability, gaps remain, especially for students commuting between cities or traveling on weekends. According to a survey conducted at LAB and LUT Universities, 72% of respondents don’t own a car, and many report difficulties with schedules, costs, and connections. There was a total of 105 responders in the survey, which was quite enough to draw some conclusions about the topic.
Traveling during weekends is also found to be expensive. Public transportation often skips night routes or fails to reach some smaller towns. In many cases, students are forced to choose between staying isolated and paying high prices for transportation. Worse yet, current transportation services don’t support students connecting meaningfully on the go. Whether it’s their need to find classmates, build friendships, or simply make the trip more pleasant.
![[Alt text: two persons in a car.]](https://blogit.lab.fi/labfocus/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/296_2025_More-than-just-a-ride_1-1024x667.jpg)
Survey insights: students want more
The student survey revealed clear demand:
- 62% of respondents said they would use a student carpooling service
- 71% prioritized saving money
- 58% highlighted convenience
- And 52% valued the opportunity for social interaction.
Interestingly, students want more than just rides — they want trust (via verified profiles), flexibility, and ideally, to ride with people from the same university or even the same study program. This is further illustrated in image 2 below, which shows the top factors that encourage students to use a carpooling service, with saving money, convenience, and social interaction clearly leading the way.
![[Alt text: an infograph with title what factors would encourage you to use a carpooling service.]](https://blogit.lab.fi/labfocus/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/296_2025_More-than-just-a-ride_2-1024x569.jpg)
The concept, which has been under development, is a mobile carpooling platform designed exclusively for verified university students. It’s more than a transport tool—it’s a peer-to-peer network that helps students save money and meet others in their community.
Key features include:
- Real-time ride matching
- Built-in safety (via university email or Studyinfo verification)
- In-app communication
- Option to choose rides based on study program, interests, or event destination.
Unlike general apps, this platform is part of the student ecosystem and connected to university services, guilds, and everyday campus life. Imagine booking a ride to a student event and seeing who else is going, or sharing a trip with someone from your course, and preparing for an exam on the way.
Business meets social value
This is not just a technology idea. It’s a socially-oriented business model. Revenue would come from optional subscriptions, university partnerships, and limited in-app promotions for student events. The aim is to keep access very affordable and create value through scale and collaboration, not exclusivity.
The business model canvas below in image 3 provides forms a structured foundation for developing a student-oriented carpooling service that is feasible and aligned with user needs. The model reflects a clear strategic direction by addressing cost concerns, social trust, institutional partnerships and environmental goals. The integrated approach to value delivery, resource allocation, and partnership building supports the potential for sustainable growth within the Finnish university context. The visual business model canvas outlines the platform’s business model, built around affordability, student needs, and institutional partnerships.
![[Alt text: a model including key partners, key activities, value propositions, and so on.]](https://blogit.lab.fi/labfocus/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/06/296_2025_More-than-just-a-ride_3-1024x577.jpg)
Partnerships with universities, student unions, and local eco-initiatives could support the platform’s development and reach. The platform can also contribute to Finland’s and Lappeenranta, Lahti and other cities climate goals by reducing car use and promoting low-emission travel options.
Authors
Aleksandra Anchukova is a Bachelor of Business Administration student at LAB University of Applied Sciences.
Reko Juntto is a senior lecturer at the LAB University of Applied Sciences. He works in the Business and Hospitality unit, focusing on digital business, digital services, strategic management, marketing, and sales.
References
Anchukova, A. 2025. Developing a Student Carpooling Service in Finland: Business Model and Marketing Strategy. Bachelor’s thesis. LAB University of Applied Sciences. Cited 2 Jun 2025. Available at https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052013509
Bachmann, F., Hanimann, A., Artho, J. & Jonas, K. 2018. What drives people to carpool? Explaining carpooling intention from the perspectives of carpooling passengers and drivers. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 59, 260–268. Cited 2 Jun 2025. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2018.08.022
Mohammadi-Mavi, H., Ranjbari, A., Guler, S.I. & Gayah, V.V. 2024. What does it take for rural-urban commuters to switch from driving to carpooling? Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 106, 803–819. Cited 2 Jun 2025. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2024.10.007
