Hitch

Hitch operates as a city-to-city ridesharing platform, positioning itself as an affordable and convenient alternative for intercity travel. The company was conceptualized by Kush Singh, who, as a student frequently traveling between Dallas and Austin, identified a gap in the market for a comfortable, car-based travel option that was more practical than buses or trains for longer distances. Officially launched in 2018, Hitch was co-founded by Singh and fellow University of Texas at Austin student Tanuj Girish. Both founders eventually left their studies to dedicate themselves to the venture full-time. The founding team also includes individuals associated with uShip.com.

The business targets the long-distance transportation market, specifically competing with airlines, buses, and trains by connecting passengers with drivers who are already traveling between cities. This model addresses the inefficiency of the high number of single-occupant vehicles making daily intercity trips. Hitch's revenue is generated by taking a commission on each transaction facilitated through its platform. The business model is designed for scalability with low overhead costs. By December 2021, the company had already provided 60,000 rides in Texas and had expanded its operations to Florida, serving all major cities in both states.

Hitch's service is accessible via its iOS and Android applications, where users can book rides up to 60 days in advance or as late as one hour before departure. The platform offers two primary service tiers: a standard shared-ride option, with prices starting as low as $15, where passengers meet at designated central locations, and Hitch Premier, which provides private, door-to-door transportation starting at $79. For trips over 50 miles, the service is often significantly less expensive than traditional ridesharing competitors. The company has demonstrated strong customer retention, with a 90% rate after a customer's first round trip noted in late 2021. In addition to passenger transport, Hitch also offers same-day, city-to-city package delivery.

Keywords: city-to-city rideshare, long-distance carpooling, intercity travel, ridesharing platform, Texas transportation, Florida transportation, shared mobility, ground transportation, travel tech, peer-to-peer transportation, Austin startup, Kush Singh, Tanuj Girish, uShip, travel booking app, affordable travel, bus alternative, airport shuttle alternative, college student travel, package delivery service