Carpooling for Change: The Business Case for Smarter Mobility

Across Mexico and other Latin American countries, mobility has evolved into a complex issue that touches every aspect of urban life: social equity, environmental quality, and economic productivity. Addressing these challenges requires a thoughtful integration of technology into our transportation systems. 

This presents a significant opportunity for the private sector not just to adopt emerging solutions, but to play an active role in driving the transition toward smarter, more sustainable cities. 

Sustainable mobility is no longer a nice-to-have, it is an essential component of long-term urban resilience and corporate responsibility. 

This shift is particularly urgent in cities like Mexico City, where daily commutes often exceed two hours, productivity is compromised, and air quality ranks among the worst in Latin America. Traffic congestion doesn’t just impact individuals, it represents a broader economic drag, contributes to poor public health outcomes, and reinforces inequalities in access to employment and services. 

One of the core dilemmas facing business leaders is how to adopt mobility solutions that are both cost-effective and impactful. While many have focused on benefits such as parking subsidies, company shuttles, or flexible work schedules, few have tapped into the transformative potential of mobility models like corporate carpooling. 

From my experience working in this sector, I’ve seen both the promise and the challenges of introducing carpooling as a scalable alternative. The idea is simple: most cars commute with one person. If employees share rides, we reduce the number of vehicles, cut emissions, and increase the efficiency of existing infrastructure. But implementation requires more than just an app, it demands organizational buy-in, a cultural shift, and supportive public policies. 

Many companies are hesitant to take the first step. Some fear low participation, while others are unsure how to measure success. In my work with companies across Mexico and Latin America, I’ve learned that the key drivers of adoption include leadership commitment, internal communication, and ease of use. When these factors align, the results are compelling: lower costs, happier employees, and measurable reductions in emissions. 

At the same time, challenges remain. Our cities are still car-centric, and few incentives exist to share vehicles. Infrastructure is often designed for throughput, not for shared efficiency. And while sustainability is on many corporate agendas, mobility often remains an overlooked area within ESG strategies. 

That’s why collaboration across sectors is essential. Businesses cannot tackle this alone. Governments need to incentivize shared mobility through policy, regulation, and infrastructure design. Tech companies must continue to innovate with solutions that are

adaptable and user-friendly. And civil society must push for equitable, clean, and efficient urban transportation systems. 

Carpooling won’t solve everything, but it is one of the few interventions that address environmental, economic, and social issues simultaneously. It’s scalable, cost-effective, and relatively quick to implement when the right conditions are in place. 

From my perspective, the future of urban mobility must be collaborative. Whether it's through shared vehicles, multimodal platforms, or behavioral shifts, we must rethink the way we move through our cities, not just for the sake of convenience, but for the sustainability and resilience of our communities. 

Companies exploring carpooling today are not just solving a mobility problem; they’re laying the foundation for more livable, equitable cities tomorrow. 

Marisol Quezada is Country Manager for Hoop Carpool in Mexico and a specialist in sustainable urban mobility. Her experience includes implementing carpooling solutions across six countries in partnership with corporate, academic, and public sector stakeholders.