Core Concepts

Understanding the key concepts behind Charon.

Corridors

Unlike point-to-point ride-hailing, Charon operates on corridors—well-traveled routes where commuters naturally cluster. Think QC→BGC or Alabang→Makati.

Micro-stops

Micro-stops are curated curb locations—mall lay-bys, side streets, building drop-offs—where pickups are safe and predictable. The app assigns passengers to the nearest micro-stop and provides walking directions.

Time Bands

Corridors have defined time bands (e.g., AM: 06:00-09:00, PM: 17:00-20:00). Passengers pre-book within a time band rather than requesting instant pickup.

Detour Budgets

Each driver has a detour budget—the maximum cumulative deviation allowed from their route (e.g., 500m). This protects existing passengers from excessive delays.

Cohorts

Cohorts are semi-private commuting groups tied to employers or buildings. Members get priority visibility and can use mobility credits.

Buddy Seat

Buddy Seat preferences let passengers filter for women-only, co-workers-only, or building-only rides.

Reverse-Surge

Instead of surge pricing that penalizes passengers, Charon uses reverse-surge—incentivizing drivers with micro-bonuses during undersupplied time bands.