Drivers with an empty seat in their car can find people in need of a ride through a new app that connects them with potential passengers nearby.<\/p>\n
SideCar, an on-demand ride-sharing app, lets users request a ride by indicating where they would like to be picked up and dropped off. The app matches them with nearby drivers – prescreened by the company – who are willing to give rides.<\/p>\n
“We’re trying to set up a situation where people share the burden of transportation with each other,” said Blake Wirht, director of marketing for San Francisco-based SideCar.<\/p>\n
When someone requests a ride, nearby drivers can decide if they want to respond. The passenger can compensate the driver via the app at a suggested fare that often undercuts the cost of a taxi.<\/p>\n
“Longer trips tend to be significantly less than taxis and shorter trips are more on par, but generally it’s a better deal,” Wirht said.<\/p>\n
Compensating the driver is completely voluntary, according to Wirht, who said the policy conforms to state ride-sharing regulations.<\/p>\n
“We have instituted a community average which shows people what others in the community have been paying for similar rides,” he said.<\/p>\n
He added that donating less than the recommended fare could cause a passenger to get a low rating on the app, and deter drivers from accepting the passenger’s ride requests in the future.<\/p>\n
Wirht said drivers span a range of ages and professions, from part-time waitresses to managers at technology companies and even retirees.<\/p>\n
“It’s fascinating the people you meet, and a lot of people are drawn to it for that reason. But there are a lot of people that drive for SideCar to offset their costs of vehicle ownership,” he said.<\/p>\n
Some critics have questioned whether accepting a ride with a stranger is wise, but Wirht said the company has made the safety of passengers and drivers its core focus.<\/p>\n
“In order to be approved as a driver you have to go through a vetting process, a background check, proof of your valid insurance, proof of driver’s license and proof of registration,” he said, adding that rides are also tracked via GPS.<\/p>\n
All passengers need to register with a valid credit card.<\/p>\n
“We know who everyone is,” he said. “It’s the visibility that creates a very safe environment.”<\/p>\n
Users can also rate each other based on their experiences.<\/p>\n
The app, launched at the end of June, is available for iOS and Android devices across the United States.<\/p>\n
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