RideTandem works with local transport providers to transform existing vehicles into smart shuttles for work and education. It provides sustainable and low-cost transport for employers, agencies, schools and universities, supporting people who might otherwise struggle to reach jobs or learning opportunities.
Key information
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Focus area
Impact venture -
Investment type
Enterprise equity -
Region
UK wide
Challenge
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In the UK, transport is the single largest household expense for rural families (excluding mortgage repayments), and the second largest expense for urban ones. British households spend an average of £5,944 annually on transport, which can disproportionately impact low-income communities.
Research shows that over five million people in the UK — around 8% of the population — are pushed into poverty due to transport costs. In areas where public transport is limited, such as the Northeast, as many as 12.5% of people are likely affected by transport poverty [1].
Approach
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RideTandem aims to tackle transport poverty by partnering with local taxi, minibus, and coach providers to provide workplace transport to businesses and home-to-school transport to education providers.
It offers fully-managed services and 24/7 customer support, as well as bespoke Rider, Driver and Guardian Apps and a Client Hub to give businesses and educators access to route data.
The company operates outside cities and large towns where the problem of transport poverty has the strongest economic and social effects. In addition to live vehicle tracking, RideTandem gives passengers the option to make block bookings as well as access to secure, flexible payments. These features, often missing from traditional mobility apps, are vital for low-income workers who may not have the means to pay for transport upfront before receiving their first paycheque.
Revenue model
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RideTandem generates revenue through its smart shuttle services, with part of the cost covered by passengers and subsidised by employers.
The company was developed through Zinc’s Venture Builder, with a mission to create new opportunities for those most affected by globalisation and automation. It has received social investment through the Fair By Design Fund, where we are co-invested alongside Ascension. It raised £2.3 million in its latest funding round in 2023, bringing the total capital it has raised to date to £5 million.
Impact
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RideTandem’s shuttle services have completed more than 2 million journeys, helping people reach work and education reliably. Its Rider App, available on Apple and Android, is now offered in 13 languages, and the easy-to-use interface makes boarding 57% faster per vehicle.
The platform has supported passengers to earn an estimated £100 million in wages by unlocking jobs that would otherwise be inaccessible, while generating cost savings compared to using a private vehicle for the same journey. It has also helped businesses avoid over 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions by reducing Scope 3 emissions from employees’ commutes.