For millions of students and workers in Pakistan’s largest cities, commuting is one of the most stressful parts of daily life. Overcrowded buses, unsafe rickshaws, and costly ride-hailing services leave families and employees with few dependable options.
Buscaro, a tech-driven mobility startup, is stepping in with a structured, safe, and affordable alternative.
The company announced it has raised $2 million in fresh funding led by Daman Investments with participation from Cartography Capital, Epic Angels, Wahed Ventures, Accelerate Prosperity, and several angel investors.
This round brings Buscaro’s total funding to $3.5 million.
Already powering 900,000 bookings every month, Buscaro is on track to close 2025 with $8.6 million in annualized revenue.
👉 Key Takeaways
- $2M raised, $3.5M total funding
- 900,000+ monthly bookings
- 80+ corporate partners, 97% retention
- Safe, tech-enabled transport improving lives across Pakistan
From a Living Room Startup to a Nationwide Movement
Founded by Maha Shahzad, Buscaro began with a single bus and three people operating out of her living room.
When global player Swvl exited Pakistan, Maha saw the urgent gap in daily mobility and decided to build a better system.
“Students, parents, and employees needed a dependable way to travel every day, and no one was stepping up,” Shahzad said. “We built Buscaro to be that solution – safe, affordable, and structured.”
Today, Buscaro is one of the largest mass transit platforms in Pakistan, growing revenue from $2 million in 2023 to $6.3 million today.
How Buscaro Works
Buscaro partners directly with schools, companies, and institutions to provide safe and reliable transport. Unlike fragmented providers, the service dedicates routes to specific organizations and is powered by a four-part technology stack:
- 📍 Live tracking for passengers and parents
- 💳 Financial transparency for businesses
- 📊 Operational visibility for administrators
- 🛡️ Safety-first systems that build trust
With more than 80 corporate partners across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, Buscaro retains over 97% of its clients year after year.
The Human Impact
For commuters, the benefits are immediate:
- Parents send their children to school with peace of mind through real-time ride tracking.
- Women consistently rate Buscaro safer than existing options.
- Companies report reduced absenteeism, improved punctuality, and lower transport costs.
- Drivers, called “captains,” earn higher, steadier incomes thanks to guaranteed demand.
One user, Iqra Shabbir, shared: “Their vehicles show up on time, rides are comfortable, and I feel safe.”
Parent Abdul Majid added: “My two children use Buscaro for school. The service is reliable and makes our mornings much easier.”
Why This Matters for Pakistan and Beyond
Pakistan’s urban mobility crisis is both social and economic. Outdated regulations, volatile fuel prices, and a largely informal market have left millions underserved.
Two-wheelers dominate daily commuting, costing the country over $5 billion in fuel imports annually, according to economist Junaid Iqbal.
By offering structured, tech-enabled commuting, Buscaro provides:
- Safer transport for women and children
- Reduced financial strain on families and businesses
- Lower environmental and fuel costs through shared rides
- Steadier incomes for drivers in an unstable labor market
Bilal Azhar Kayani, Finance Minister in Punjab, called the service vital for underserved communities: “There is a real need for safe and affordable public transport, especially for women. I believe such services will empower women across the country.”
Looking Ahead
With the new funding, Buscaro plans to:
- Expand into tier-2 cities where industrial and educational hubs remain underserved
- Partner with government bodies to upgrade public transport using its technology
- Explore international expansion to bring its model to other countries facing similar challenges
“At Daman Investments, we back visionary founders solving real challenges at scale, and Buscaro is a standout example,” said Ahmed Khizer Khan, CEO of Daman Investments. “Maha and her team are improving lives every day, and this funding will help them accelerate growth across the region.”
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