Cartibo: Bringing Cartagena’s Public Transportation to Everyone’s Fingertips
In 2018, Cartagena faced a significant challenge: the mass transit system, Transcaribe, was relatively new, but the lack of accessible information about routes, schedules, and frequencies discouraged many citizens from using it. Traditional methods, such as searching for routes on Instagram or relying on scattered information, were impractical and excluded much of the population. Cartibo, an innovative chatbot developed for WhatsApp and Messenger, changed this by offering a simple and effective solution that brought public transportation information to everyone’s fingertips.
The Problem Cartibo Solved
When Cartibo was created, the concept of chatbots was not as widespread as it is in 2025. Developing a virtual assistant in 2018 was a technical and conceptual challenge, especially in a city like Cartagena, where there was no quick or reliable way to access public transportation routes. Citizens, tourists, and students struggled to navigate a new system without clear tools, which limited its adoption. Cartibo filled this gap by providing accurate, real-time information directly through the most widely used platforms: WhatsApp and Messenger.
What Did Cartibo Offer?
Cartibo was designed to be an accessible and practical tool, focused on the local community but also useful for tourists and students. Its key features included:
- Route Queries: Users could ask how to get from one point to another using Transcaribe, receiving clear and personalized instructions.
- Schedules and Frequencies: Up-to-date information on wait times and bus availability.
- Conversational Interface in Spanish: An intuitive experience that required no technical knowledge, ideal for the local population.
- Text-Based Route Maps: While it didn’t offer graphical visualizations, it described routes clearly and understandably.
With over 15,000 users interacting with the chatbot (according to statistics provided by Meta at the time), Cartibo proved to be a powerful tool for improving mobility in the city.
Social Impact: Democratizing Mobility
Cartibo had a profound impact on Cartagena:
- Inclusive Access: Available on widely used platforms like WhatsApp, it reached people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, including those with limited access to advanced technology.
- Encouraging Transcaribe Use: By making information more accessible, Cartibo motivated more citizens to use the mass transit system, reducing reliance on informal transportation methods.
- Support for Tourists and Students: It made it easier for visitors and young people to navigate the city efficiently.
- Local Innovation: As a personal initiative, Cartibo showed that a single individual with a clear idea could drive significant change.
Although the project was a temporary solution and is no longer active, its legacy remains an example of how technology can address everyday challenges.
Technology Behind Cartibo
Developing Cartibo was a technical challenge at a time when chatbots were still a novelty. The key technologies included:
- Dialogflow: Used for natural language processing (NLP), enabling fluid interactions in Spanish.
- Advanced Decision Tree Algorithm: To guide users through complex queries logically and efficiently.
- Meta APIs Integration: Seamless connection with WhatsApp and Messenger for a frictionless experience.
- Updated Route Database: A reliable source of information about the Transcaribe system.
These technical elements, combined with a user-centered design, made Cartibo a groundbreaking tool for its time.
Recognition: 2018 Regional Innovation Award
In 2018, Cartibo was honored with the Regional Innovation Award in Bolívar, presented by the Governor of Bolívar, the Mayor of Cartagena, and the Minister of Information and Communications Technologies. This recognition highlighted the project’s creativity, its impact on urban mobility, and its ability to bring cutting-edge technology to a local context. The award underscored how Cartibo not only solved a practical problem but also inspired new approaches to public sector innovation.
A Personal Initiative with Collective Impact
Cartibo began as a personal initiative, driven by a vision to make life easier for Cartagena’s citizens. As users embraced the chatbot, its value became clear: it not only addressed an immediate need but also showcased the potential of locally developed technological solutions. Though the project did not continue, its success demonstrates that innovation doesn’t always require vast resources—just a clear idea and a commitment to the community.
Location
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia - Implemented for the Transcaribe mass transit system.