Covoit’STAR: Carpooling Innovates for Mobility in Rennes

Since 2018, the Rennes metropolitan area has been developing its transportation options with its own carpooling app, called “Covoit’STAR”.

This carpooling solution has been deployed since 2016 by Kéolis and its partner Instant System. Today, it is also available in the cities of Bordeaux, Dijon, Lille, Bourg-en-Bresse, Le Mans, Besançon, and Alès.

Cars remain the most used daily transportation. However, they are among the most polluting modes after airplanes, mainly due to “solo driving”. Solo driving refers to traveling alone in a car. It contributes to traffic congestion and significant greenhouse gas emissions. To protect our environment, it is important to encourage short-distance carpooling. For longer trips, trains (the most eco-friendly) should be promoted, according to The Shift Project.

This commitment led the Rennes metropolitan area, in 2018, to adopt this carpooling solution directly integrated into its transportation network: the STAR.

What are the advantages of Covoit’Star?

Environmentally friendly: carpooling helps save fuel and improves traffic flow. Most importantly, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. With just two people, GHG emissions decrease by 50%, and with four passengers, by 75%.

Economical: the Covoit’Star service is free because it charges no commission or matching fees (unlike the well-known Blablacar). Additionally, the driver receives €1 for each passenger they carpool with.

How does it work?

Simply download the app, register, and follow the instructions.

Moreover, to encourage city residents, the app rewards good mobility practices. Each use earns points for drivers and passengers (100 points for the first trip, then 50 per trip) which can be spent in STAR’s store. Registering earns 50 points, proposing a trip also earns points. In the STAR shop, users can win gift cards, movie tickets, trips, or even dinners… a service that rewards responsible mobility.

This solution is reshaping the mobility of tomorrow and could be suitable for all cities across France. Implementing this system is estimated to take between 6 months and 1 year, with costs varying depending on the size of the area.

Other complementary carpooling solutions are part of Rennes’ offerings. These include Star’t and Ouestgo. Star’t is a carpooling line providing a transit service on a route serving four municipalities in the metropolitan area that are not connected by bus. It is free, regular, and requires no reservation. Ouestgo, on the other hand, is a platform connecting carpoolers.

Carpooling is becoming as simple as taking the bus. All that remains is to join the movement and change the way we travel.

Also read: Car: buy or rent?