Fixing the $530B Commuting Crisis with Malcolm Adams

Commuting is broken—and it’s costing North Americans a staggering $530 billion per year in wasted fuel, parking, and vehicle expenses. In this episode, The Business Development Podcast welcomes Malcolm Adams, a former oil and gas executive turned mobility innovator, who is on a mission to fix this crisis. As the CEO and founder of COREO Commute, Malcolm is pioneering a choreographed carpooling solution that goes beyond traditional ridesharing, offering a smarter, cost-saving alternative for daily commuters. He shares how his background in engineering and energy led him to identify solo commuting as the most inefficient system in transportation, and how COREO is poised to transform the way we get to work—saving commuters thousands annually while reducing congestion and emissions.

Malcolm dives into the hidden costs of commuting, why traditional carpooling has failed, and how COREO solves these challenges with real-time, AI-powered trip matching. He explains the behavioral shift needed to make shared commuting a mainstream solution, the role of major corporations in adoption, and how companies can use COREO to get employees back into the office without financial strain. With a successful rollout in Calgary, Malcolm also shares the expansion roadmap and the massive opportunities ahead for businesses, cities, and individuals looking to cut costs, build stronger communities, and revolutionize transportation. If you’ve ever wished for a better, more affordable way to commute, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

1. Commuting is one of the biggest hidden costs in North America, costing solo drivers over $530 billion annually.

2. Traditional carpooling fails because it lacks reliability, but choreographed commuting creates stable, predictable ride-sharing networks.

3. Most commuters don’t realize that transportation is their second-largest household expense, after housing and before food.

4. Car ownership costs have skyrocketed, with vehicle prices up 28% and used car prices up 50% in the last five years.

5. Many people resist carpooling due to fear of inconvenience, but tech-driven trip matching eliminates scheduling conflicts.

6. Businesses benefit from smarter commuting solutions by increasing office attendance, improving employee productivity, and reducing parking costs.

7. Solo commuting is a major contributor to emissions, and reducing single-occupant vehicle use is the fastest way to cut transportation-related carbon output.

8. Large employers and universities are key to driving mass adoption of choreographed commuting through incentives and corporate partnerships.

9. Creating strong community connections through shared rides improves trust, networking, and even job opportunities among commuters.

10. The biggest barrier to adoption is behavioral, but once people experience cost savings and reliability, they rarely go back to driving alone.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. CapitalBD.ca
2. COREO

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Mentioned in this episode:

Hyperfab Midroll