"It's essentially based on trust"
If there’s one thing parents tell their kids, it’s not to get into cars with strangers. But that's exactly what a growing number of people of all ages and backgrounds are doing - sharing gas costs, conversations, and backseats with fellow travelers they've just met.
Welcome to the increasingly popular but still- taboo world of rideshare. I'm talking about the informal, grassroots type of ridesharing that's facilitated by social networking sites like craigslist.
The concept is simple:
Courageous drivers and riders post on craigslist (or some place like it), exchange e-mails in which they work out details like price, pick-up location, and musical preferences, and within a few days, ride off together into the great unknown (read: wherever they need to go!).
But here’s a question:
Why in this age of fear and skepticism are people flouting such an elementary taboo and putting their lives in the hands of strangers?
In other words, what’s in a ride?
I spoke to six very different ridesharers and asked them to share their experiences, concerns and, in some cases, rides with me. It turns out people are drawn to rideshare for a variety of reasons, including:
- Economic (drivers save on gas money and many riders find it cheaper than the bus)
- Environmental (ridesharing reduces the number of vehicles out there)
- Practical (sometimes bus and train routes are absurd, and flying is a pain these days)
- Social (ridesharing is a way to meet likeminded people and find out about great places to eat and visit)
- Ethical (some ridesharers describe feeling morally obliged to pool their resources and avoid socially irresponsible travel companies)
- Cultural (ridesharers get to meet people from other places and learn about their politics, language and religion)
Are you willing to take the leap of faith?
