Is transportation the latest company perk for Austin workers?
CharterUp, which runs an online charter bus-booking platform, says more workplaces across Austin and San Antonio are providing transportation for their employees as more companies return to the office.
Austin-based CharterUp says that post-pandemic, the company's corporate shuttle program is up by more than 280% in Austin and San Antonio, compared to 247% nationwide.
The company's customers include H-E-B, the University of Texas, Austin Independent School District and Fortune 500 companies. CharterUp said its Austin-based corporate customers use designated pick up and drop off locations at different campuses and work locations.
In response to the demand, CharterUp has announced it's expanding its platform with the addition of luxury sprinter vans in cities including Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles. In the U.S., most Sprinter models are considered light commercial vehicles, available for both transporting passengers and cargo.
In addition to the new sprinter vans, the CharterUP marketplace said it works with more than 7,000 independent operators across North America who are sitting on underutilized fleets. Fleet owners use the CharterUp site to find and book transportation jobs and CharterUp gets a cut of the revenue.
The company currently hosts an online network of more than 4,000 coaches and minibuses. CharterUP said the hundreds of sprinter vans will meet the growing demand for group transportation services of all sizes.
In May, CharterUp announced it was moving its headquarters from Atlanta to Austin, with plans to add 100 employees. Founded in 2018, CharterUp works with companies, government organizations, schools, sports teams and private groups to contract and manage one-time or recurring bus services for events, group travel and employee commutes.
The company says its goal is to let customers charter a bus in 60 seconds or less.
“This expansion enables us to offer a wider range of vehicles to serve our customers better, whether they’re a Fortune 500 company looking for minibuses for campus transportation or customers looking to book a luxury sprinter for their bridal party,” said Armir Harris, CEO of CharterUP.
“This is a significant stride in our journey to redefine luxury in group travel. We are not just extending our network; we are elevating the travel experience for our clients, addressing their diverse needs. We are excited to welcome thousands of independent operators and their underutilized fleets to our platform, creating mutual growth opportunities.”