From Tech Powerhouses to Transit Headliner
Pakistan’s public transit landscape has long been marred by overcrowding, harassment, and unreliable services. This is especially so in Karachi, a city where public transport often falls short – and is particularly risky for women commuters. Recognizing the need for reliable and safe public transport, BusCaro founder and CEO Maha Shahzad sought to redefine Pakistan’s urban mobility, steering it towards a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future.
An industry veteran, Maha is no stranger to the challenges of mobility technology. Having held leadership roles at industry giants such as Careem, Swvl, Airlift, and Foodpanda – and most recently at Swvl Pakistan as General Manager – Maha has 15 years of experience in the area of Pakistani mobilty and urban transport. In mid-2022, she decided to use that experience to launch BusCaro – a mobility platform which aims to tackle Pakistan’s commuter crisis head-on.
A Model Rooted in Safety & Affordability
Drawing from lessons learnt in past roles at Swvl and Airlift, Maha designed BusCaro to follow a resilient and socially-conscious model. This approach focused on asset-light partnerships with local minivan, minibus, and bus operators, pre-booked routes through schools, factories, offices, and universities; and special attention given to safety-first features, including thorough background checks of drivers, ‘panic buttons’, live tracking, and anonymous passenger IDs. The live tracking feature has proven especially relevant for women passengers, with one student commuter saying, “BusCaro is like a private van service. Clean, on time, and even allowing my parents to track my live location.”
Proven Impact & Rapid Growth
Under Maha’s stewardship, BusCaro has already scaled to three cities and has managed to secure over 18 million bookings across the country. Since its launch in Karachi in 2022, the mobility start-up has already grown to secure more than 35,000 bookings per day across Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. The company has also leveraged Maha’s industry experience, providing mobility solutions to major organisations, including Foodpanda, PepsiCo, Ibex, Indus Hospital, and Style Textile. During this time, Maha has also ensured a continued focus on sustainability, helping reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 8 million kg annually. Interestingly, 70% of BusCaro users are women and chidren.
Leading with Purpose
Maha has been recognized amongst the top ten women in mobility in the world. She also competed against more than 200 startups on the renowned show Meet the Drapers, and went on to win the episode for Pakistan. She has brought this global perspective to the benefit of Pakistani entrepreneurs and startups, acting as a mentor and judge at She Loves Tech, Standard Chartered Bank’s Women in Tech initiativ, and also mentors aspiring entrepreneurs as part of ARY’s upcoming show Bazaar powered by Paklaunch.
Why This Matters
Maha Shahzad isn’t just steering a company; she’s driving a movement. In a nation of 220 million people – where public transit is a necessity, not a luxury – BusCaro’s model reshapes how people move: affordably, reliably, and with dignity. Maha’s leadership brings hope to commuters, employers, and investors alike, proving that impactful solutions can thrive amid structural challenges. By combining tech experience, social mission, and fearless leadership, Maha is paving the way for safe, inclusive, and sustainable transport in Pakistan –one BusCaro ride at a time.
Quick Facts – BusCaro
● Founded: July 2022, Karachi
● Funding: Raised $2.5M
● Service Areas: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad
● Ridership: Over 35K daily commuters; fleet of more than 800 vehicles
● Key Partners: Foodpanda, PepsiCo, Ibex, Indus Hospital, Style Textile
● Emphasis: safety-first, scalable B2B route networks, eco-conscious operations
