CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW.COM) – A Nashville technology company will launch the Hytch carpooling app in Montgomery County as part of a plan to reduce traffic and ease congestion in the mid-state.
The free Hytch app is available for iOS and Adroid devices and matches commuters taking similar routes to carpool.
“Our surveys show 53% of today’s drivers would carpool and 41% would ride with strangers, but that number just skyrockets when you’re talking about matching with friends, neighbors and co-workers,” says company Co-Founder and CEO, Mark Cleveland. “When 69% of us say we would pay for the ride and 62% say the problem is finding someone to ride with.”
Hytch was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to help the company build a user community in Montgomery, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties.
ClarksvilleNow.com attended a press event Monday to discuss the introduction of the Hytch app.
Mayor Durrett believes Montgomery County can lead the charge: “It’s time to face our transportation issues with cost-effective and progressive solutions, and I feel that Hytch is just that. It’s a great opportunity for the commuters of Montgomery County to get to know their neighbors, to help cut costs for everyone, and Hytch offers one solution to a problem that isn’t going away anytime soon.”
Durrett said approximately 20,000 people choose to work outside of Montgomery County with the majority of those using the I-24 corridor between Clarksville and Nashville. He said this app provides a solution.
Durrett points to three major points:
• It’s green. Eliminate cars, reduce pollution.
• It’s safe. First, users are anonymous until they choose to accept a match and can share only what they wish to share. Second, having another person in the car keeps folks alert with less opportunity for hands off the wheel distractions.
• It’s social. Networking with your neighbors is always beneficial and socializing while traveling makes the ride go by faster.
For more information on the Hytch app, visit www.hytch.me.