__________________________________________________________________________________________ Main interview
Data-driven INNOVATION
CEO Devin de Vries is bridging the transport gap in developing markets with this simple solution
Should you live in a developing city , your daily commute might be as straightforward as a half-hour ’ s train ride to and from work , or it might be more tedious than that and involve a twohour bus journey with three changeovers . If all goes well , you arrive at work on time . However , there are so many variables beyond your control , and when one route is held up , like dominoes , you could arrive 45 minutes late , soaked in sweat from the stress of the saga .
In 2019 , research found that British commuters spent an average of 115 hours in traffic a year . This hold-up has a significant impact on the economy , as well as every commuter ’ s lifestyle , and the problem resides in not having reliable backup plans for travellers to get to work on time .
Understanding how routes for public transport impact the quality of life is at the core of start-up business WhereIsMyTransport , and its Founder and CEO , Devin de Vries , is on a mission to improve commuting gaps in emerging markets . “ The reality is ,” begins Devin , “ in an emerging market , most people travel for five hours daily on public transit and those trips tend to be changeovers with multiple destinations . This results in anxiety that affects your life , and it ’ s pretty significant ,” he says .
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