Zimride, an online platform that allows coordinated ridesharing, is now available at UR.
Zimride’s website describes it as “a new spin on ridesharing, using social networks to enable real connections. In seconds you can set up a profile, book a ride in your area, or post a ride of your own. ”
The platform takes a unique approach to ridesharing, linking members’ rideshare profiles to their Facebook pages, and requiring membership in the UR network to register. In this way, Zimride seeks to improve upon other ridesharing services like Ridester, Ridejoy, and BlaBlaCar (a European ridesharing service). Zimride operates at several other campuses across the U.S. including Syracuse University and Cornell University.
According to Director of Parking and Transportation Hugh E. Kierig, the program is part of a new initiative launched on Oct. 21 called UR Connections, an effort that combines services such as Zipcar, the UR shuttle service, and the RTS buses to meet the transportation needs of students.
Zimride provides the tools for students and drivers to easily and efficiently seek out transportation and cut their costs. After creating an account, a user can post a ride that he or she is willing to share or a destination that he or she is hoping to reach. The searchable postings allow riders and drivers to find others with the same destinations.
Zimride can be used to coordinate one-time travel plans, like Thanksgiving break rides, or to establish a regular schedule, like students seeking daily rides to campus.
“I’d consider using it,” junior Seth Ashton said. “I thought about using BlaBlaCar [while I was abroad], but the trip just didn’t work out. I like traveling cheaply and I like meeting new people.”
Since Zimride’s launch, 628 people have signed up as users and 265 people have posted rides in the system.
Kierig himself tested the system.
“I posted a trip and got a match,” he said. “I could even go to that person’s Facebook and make sure I felt comfortable riding with them. It helps in terms of creating that familiarity with people you’re going to ride with.”
Because a Zimride account is limited to connecting with other UR students, it would presumably be possible to discover connections and mutual friends of your potential rider or driver, adding an additional level of comfort to the system.
As Thanksgiving break approaches, Kierig hopes that students will take advantage of the site to coordinate their trips home, saving miles and reducing carbon emissions – two other components that Zimride tracks.
Remus is a member of
the class of 2016.
