Exhausted parents in Limassol now have a reason to breathe easier thanks to an innovative new service, WeeDRIVE, which aims to relieve them of the daily stress of transporting their children to and from after-school activities.
The service has been running in a pilot phase for the past month and offers something many parents have dreamed of but few have been able to implement: picking up children from their doorstep and safely transporting them directly to their extracurricular activities, with live updates sent straight to the parent’s mobile via the dedicated app.
Following an announcement by the Limassol Municipality, a partner in the platform’s development, the news went viral: within 24 hours, the post had garnered over 1,500 likes, 200 comments, and 250 shares - clear evidence of the pressing need for solutions among citizens struggling with traffic congestion and the daily pressures of chauffeuring their children to lessons.
The beginning of an idea
The idea came during the pandemic when Dr Maria Kamargiani, Professor of Innovation and Sustainability in Transport Systems and director of MaaSLab, returned to Cyprus during the lockdowns. She noticed the lack of such a service and, drawing on her scientific expertise, began developing the app to make it a reality.
“Either I would drive my daughter myself, hire a driver, or use my knowledge to create a solution,” Dr Kamargiani told Politis. “We brought together multiple stakeholders, secured funding, and within 18 months had results. Now we’re ready to help the city.”
The app was developed by Limassol Municipality in collaboration with MaaSLab and EMEL, as part of the EU-funded metaCCAZE project, which also involves Oxygen for Democracy and NextBike.
Everything on your phone
Using the service is simple. Parents download the app, create an account, and input their children’s weekly activity schedule. They then set the routes, and the app’s smart system calculates the most efficient paths, ensuring smooth, timely, and stress-free transport. The service includes door-to-door pick-up and drop-off, real-time GPS tracking, and instant notifications for each trip, so parents always know where their children are.
Despite minimal promotion, the platform has received excellent feedback, and available slots are filling quickly. The app, WeeDRIVE, is available for iOS and Android via the App Store and Play Store.
Starting with five buses
Currently, WeeDRIVE operates five 17-seat minibuses managed by EMEL, with plans to expand to nine and eventually allow private professional drivers to join the platform. Fares are approximately €3 for up to 4 km, €5 for 4–6 km, and €7 for 6–8 km, with final prices determined by the app’s algorithm.
The service currently covers Agios Tychonas, Moutayiaka, Germasogeia, Agios Athanasios, Mesa Yitonia, Limassol city centre, and Kato and Pano Polemidia, with plans to expand further in 2026, including Kurion Municipality, thanks to additional funding. Operating hours are Monday to Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding public holidays.
Towards nationwide coverage
Dr Kamargiani stresses the importance of steady, measured steps. “We need to engage with the relevant ministry at some point. Limassol is a strong starting point, but eventually, the platform could expand to other cities in Cyprus and abroad, step by step,” she explains.
“The key difference is door-to-door service. It’s essential to build trust with families,” she adds, noting plans to eventually cater to younger children under 12 who require escorts, as well as other social groups.
Seventeen Children, 80 Cars Off the Road
“Every day, cities are gridlocked in the afternoons, most cars carrying just one child and a driver. With WeeDRIVE, we remove vehicles from the roads,” Dr Kamargiani explains. “If five of our minibuses carry 17 children, that’s roughly 80 fewer cars on the road. It won’t solve traffic alone, but it’s a start.”
User uptake has been strong, with new registrations growing daily and no users dropping out. “Once the algorithms stabilise, we can add more buses, engage licensed professional drivers, and even approach private bus companies. Our biggest advantage is technology,” she says. “When we presented to schools, we asked the children why they don’t use buses. WeeDRIVE was developed around what parents and children want, to earn their trust and ensure the project succeeds.”
Next stop: Munich
With the software developed, the platform can be adapted for international use. “We’ve received interest from Munich, where they want a similar system for elderly transport and hospital visits. You would book a medical appointment and automatically schedule the ride,” Dr Kamargiani explains. The app has launched in Limassol, and once it proves stable, the team is ready to take it further internationally.