By working with uRyde, THWS aims to promote climate-friendly mobility, reduce individual costs, and facilitate new social contacts. A self-experiment shows how the app works. How safe is the concept – and what challenges are there?
Published on 17 December 2025
According to the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA), road traffic is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases in Germany. At the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), more than 80 percent of CO2 emissions are caused by the commuting of students and staff. But mobility is not something that can simply be dispensed with. Sustainable solutions are needed to tackle the problem. That is why THWS is cooperating with the ride-sharing platform uRyde. The app allows users from various local institutions and companies to carpool. The goal: reduce emissions – and thus protect the climate.
More community, less CO2
"As a higher education institution, we act as a role model," says Professor Dr. Ulrich Müller-Steinfahrt, sustainability officer at THWS. The aim is therefore to make mobility options more sustainable and attractive. In the long term, the University is striving to reduce CO2 emissions by around 10 to 15 percent. The cooperation with uRyde is a step in that direction. But individual costs are also to be reduced through the formation of carpools. Those who share a ride not only use less fuel but also reduce the need for parking spaces. Last but not least, THWS hopes that uRyde will promote even more social interaction among students – a benefit that is often hidden at first glance. "It's better to be stuck in traffic with someone else than alone," says Katharina Falkenstein, climate protection manager at THWS.
The cooperation with uRyde has been official since the beginning of the 2025 summer semester. However, the search for a suitable partner for a ridesharing cooperation had already started in 2020. "There are now many providers of ridesharing platforms on the market," says Falkenstein. These were compared and tested in practice. The Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, the district administration and several companies in the region were also involved in the process. Ultimately, the decision was clear: uRyde was able to meet all requirements and offered the most advantages.
Self-experiment: How does a ride with uRyde work?
Students and staff at THWS can register on the platform in just a few minutes using their THWS e-mail address. The process is free of charge – apart from the amount you pay to the person giving you a lift, of course. They set this amount individually when placing the offer. At the end of the month, drivers can have the money they have earned paid out or donate it to environmental or social projects.
My self-experiment shows how easy it is to use the platform: after a few hours in the library at Hubland, I use the radius search to see which journeys are currently on offer. Alternatively, I could also search specifically for a time and a destination. The list includes a JMU student who is travelling in my direction: Marvin (name changed by the editors). Public transport is also displayed. The integration of buses, trams, and regional trains makes planning more flexible. However, a combination is not suitable for my journey.
I enter my pick-up point, the number of passengers, and my payment method. I can choose from digital options such as credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, as well as cash payment. I opt for the latter and send my request. A few minutes later, I receive a push notification: "Your ride request has been accepted!" At the same time, I receive an e-mail informing me how much CO2 I am saving by booking this ride. Since my journey is not far, the amount is only 0.23 kg of CO2, but the specific figure makes the project more tangible.
I can coordinate with Marvin via the integrated chat function. Since you provide your mobile number when you register, it is also possible to call him if necessary. Before departure, I receive two reminders to be at the meeting point on time. Via the chat function, I find out where my driver has parked and we meet directly at the car. Marvin activates real-time navigation and marks my entry point. When we reach my stop, he confirms in the app that I am getting out. I pay my fare – a few cents for the short journey – and my trip is successfully completed. It is now displayed as a past booking in my dashboard and I can rate Marvin – you can award a maximum of five stars.
A gamified approach as an incentive
After my first ride, I have a positive impression of uRyde and would recommend the app to others – especially if they have longer journeys. The platform also offers other advantages that only become apparent after repeated use: an overview shows how many kilometres you have already travelled. You can also reach four different levels. To move up, you have to complete three missions. These range from uploading a personal profile picture to saving ten kilograms of CO2. At the end of each month, there is also a competition. The more active you have been, the higher your chances of winning. "The gamified approach is an incentive to use the app," says Falkenstein.
Protection mechanisms
For the concept to work, user safety must be guaranteed. There are several protection mechanisms in place. "uRyde is a closed system. Only specific companies and partners that are part of the network can use the service," says Falkenstein. , the rating system and detailed information on profile and vehicle safety are also provided. If help is needed, there is an emergency call button. It is clearly visible in the app for both drivers and passengers. When selected, a call is forwarded to the police emergency number. According to Johannes Andree, CEO and co-founder of uRyde, this function has never been used.
However, alongside all the advantages, there are also challenges. It is problematic when travel times do not match up. "Outward journeys can often be planned, but there is often a lack of flexibility when it comes to the return journey," explains Professor Dr. Müller-Steinfahrt. "No one is going to set off three hours early just to avoid travelling alone." Another obstacle can be the interpersonal component: if the chemistry between the driver and passenger is not right, the negative experience can lead to the concept being rejected altogether.
"Every reduction in kilometres travelled counts"
The problems become less significant as more people join uRyde. This is because as the number of users grows, so does the selection of available journeys, travel times, and directions. The example of the Nuremberg metropolitan region shows that the concept is being accepted: over 50 participating employer locations there are potentially saving 100,000 tonnes of CO2 within a year. Together, we can make a difference, emphasises Professor Dr. Müller-Steinfahrt: "Every reduction in kilometres travelled counts."
