Coming soon: A new service to allow networked groups of drivers and riders to share a ride in a matter of minutes using computers and smartphones.
WHAT is Real-time Ridesharing?
Typical features of a real-time ridesharing service include:
- Ride matches can be made even a few minutes before departure
- Drivers can offset the costs of car ownership
- Riders save money compared to driving alone
- Users can filter matches based on gender or affiliation
- Riders and drivers provide ratings of each other
HOW will this work?
We’ll be working with groups including employers, higher education institutions and cities. Pilot participants will help establish a functioning community of riders and drivers and will initially receive rewards for using the system. The goal is to build a sustainable marketplace for empty seats.
The technical capability for this pilot will involve a new breed of smartphone and web applications. These will give users access to the marketplace, along with transit and other options, at any point in their day.
WHO is involved?
This pilot in Sonoma, Marin and Contra Costa counties is funded by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Climate Initiative Program. In Sonoma County, the Climate Protection Campaign is implementing the pilot under the Sonoma County Transportation Authority.
WHEN will the pilot open to the public?
We’re hoping to start up in Fall 2011. Rewards for new participants will be available through early 2013. If successful, the pilot will likely be expanded to the rest of the Bay Area. You can sign up below to receive future updates:
Survey
We recently conducted a survey for our new Real-Time Ridesharing pilot and got a great response, with over 1,000 taking the survey. Over 50% said they would likely or definitely try a real-time ridesharing system as currently planned (which will include incentives for pilot participants). Nearly 60% said they would try the system if gas prices went up to $5/gallon - which seems all too likely at the moment.
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