The unexpected shutdown of Careem in Pakistan has left a significant void in the country’s urban transport ecosystem. Once a pioneer in ride-hailing services, Careem transformed how millions of Pakistanis commuted daily, especially in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
With its exit, daily commuters are now actively exploring Careem alternatives in Pakistan, prompting a major shift in the way urban mobility is perceived and accessed.
This transition is not only disrupting commuting patterns but also opening the door for emerging players to capitalize on the gap. From students and office workers to freelancers and families, everyone is now reassessing their transportation choices.
The absence of Careem’s familiar reliability has sparked conversations about local innovation, public transport integration, and the future of ride-hailing in the country.
Let’s dive into how this shift is playing out across urban Pakistan.
The Rise of Local Ride-Hailing Services
With Careem stepping back, local services have stepped up. Platforms like InDrive, Bykea, and Yango are quickly gaining popularity. These companies are not just filling a gap but also adapting to local challenges in ways Careem struggled to scale.
- InDrive operates on a peer-to-peer pricing model, where passengers and drivers negotiate the fare. This appeals to budget-conscious users.
- Bykea, a homegrown app, focuses heavily on motorbike rides, offering a cheaper, faster alternative in traffic-heavy cities.
- Yango, a relatively newer entrant, is leveraging tech-driven solutions and aggressive pricing to establish itself.
These apps are becoming go-to Careem alternatives in Pakistan, particularly for daily commuters and cost-sensitive users.
Changing Commuter Behavior
The closure of Careem has reshaped customer expectations and preferences. Where users once favored convenience and brand loyalty, they now prioritize:
- Affordability: With inflation hitting Pakistani households, cost-effective rides are winning hearts.
- Speed: Motorbike options like Bykea are becoming more appealing due to shorter commute times in congested areas.
- Availability: Apps with quicker response times and better driver distribution are outperforming others.
Moreover, many users are now installing multiple apps and comparing fares before booking, something rarely done during Careem’s reign.
Impact on Gig Economy Drivers
Careem’s shutdown hasn’t just affected riders; it has deeply impacted thousands of drivers who relied on the platform for their livelihoods. Many of them have had to transition to other platforms or revert to traditional means like driving rickshaws, taxis, or bikes independently.
Bykea and InDrive have seen an influx of former Careem drivers joining their fleets, leading to:
- Increased competition among drivers
- Surge in driver onboarding across alternative platforms
- Growing demand for better driver support and incentives
The Role of Public Transport
Interestingly, Careem’s absence is pushing some users back toward public transport. This shift presents an opportunity—and a challenge—for Pakistan’s underdeveloped mass transit systems. While services like the Metrobus in Lahore and Islamabad offer low-cost transport, they often lack the flexibility and comfort ride-hailing users are accustomed to.
A hybrid model, where users combine short ride-hailing trips with public transport (e.g., using Bykea to reach a Metrobus station), may become more common.
The Urban Mobility Landscape: What’s Next?
As Pakistan adapts to a post-Careem era, a few trends are becoming clear:
- Innovation Will Be Key: Local startups that offer unique features like fare negotiation, localized language support, and digital wallets will have a competitive edge.
- Data-Driven Services: Companies that leverage ride data to optimize routes, fares, and availability will win trust and loyalty.
- Sustainability: Eco-friendly transport solutions, including electric bikes and carpooling, may gain traction as fuel prices remain volatile.
Final Thoughts
The shutdown of Careem is undeniably a turning point in Pakistan’s urban transport evolution. While it caused disruption, it also sparked innovation and created opportunities for local and international players to step up. For users, this moment is both a challenge and a choice—forcing a reevaluation of how they commute daily.
As new Careem alternatives in Pakistan continue to rise, the focus should remain on affordable, reliable, and locally-relevant mobility solutions. Whether through tech innovation, hybrid public-private models, or user-driven customization, the future of urban mobility in Pakistan is being rewritten in real time.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
