Anyone Used Zimride?

[jennipurrr]

They are affliated with Zip Car...basically you either offer to share seats in your car or find rides with someone else who has a trip planned. It is free to use the site, but people set rates for their seats. You can do round trips or one ways. I stumbled upon them when I was looking to see if there was a truck available at my local zipcar. I am driving on a 5 hour trip in the near future and was not excited about being by myself for it. So, I signed up and put the trip in. I'd love to share the gas costs with some one and have someone to talk to. Anyone used them or done something similar? I'm a little nervous about opening my car to strangers, but I am going on the premise that most people are good right now. I will report back if someone signs up!

[jp1]

My first thought is that charging people money to ride in your car is probably illegal in most states unless you have registered and insured it as a livery vehicle. My second thought is that, as an introvert, the idea of spending hours in a car with a stranger(s) is only something I'd do if it was the only option available to me. All that said I imagine that for most people who use the service it will be a positive experience, or at least a neutral experience. And I agree with you that sharing the gas and having one vehicle make the trip, instead of 2, is a good thing.

I've never done anything formal like this, but when I was a freshman in college in Miami there was a car in my dorm parking lot with Colorado plates on it. About a month before the end of the school year I put a note on it asking if (s)he was driving back to CO at year's end and did they need/want a passenger to split costs. He stopped by my room the next day and we made arrangements. It ended up working out great. Much cheaper then flying, and I wasn't especially in a rush to get home anyway.

[jennipurrr]

Hmm...didn't think about the issue with charging. Also, didn't really think about the fact talking would get pretty old, pretty quickly! I am an introvert too...but I definitely can get bored on a 5 hour trip alone.

No one has responded to my post, so since I leave in a few days its probably safe to say I am going alone. Oh well, I was up for trying something new even if it just gave me something to write about on my blog.

[fidgiegirl]

I'd actually try CL for this first. It's not a bad idea! Can save both peeps some $$. Gas adds up on a long trip.

[heydude]

watch the movie "wind chill" and you'll have second thoughts about ride shares, hehe