Appendix 1 - Lift-sharing Platforms Assessment Platform Accessibility Ease of Use and Features Possible Cost Safety Popularity/ Usage Cancellation policy Summary and Total Bla Bla Car App Free to join Members are 18 or over Members can book for no younger than 13 if travelling alone Website = intuitive User profiles (with rating) Optional log in via Facebook Option to add photo of the car to ease finding it Free additional insurance Internal messaging system Cost contribution is determined by driver ’Trip with booking’ has Service Fee (Calculated on basis of cost contribution e.g. £1.50 for £5 CC, £3.50 for £20] *Also option for ‘Trip without booking’ without online system (= no service fee but risks of cancellation costs etc.) Paypal or Direct Members have profiles & ratings Members ID verified Ladies only filter Contact users in advance through IM Few existing users in Frome Refunds offered if drivers cancel Passengers given refund if they cancel >24hrs (excl service) and <24% (50% excl service) Drivers compensated in full if passenger no-show Has perhaps the best interface and safety policies. Also has the best guarantee for cancellations. However, this is set against the considerable disadvantage of service fee cost. 5/5 10/10 4/10 5/5 1/5 5/5 30/40 Lift Share App Android and Apple (not windows) (must register Very comprehensive FAQs User profile Optional log in via Facebook Users set preferences/car rules Liftshare calculated suggested contribution pp based on length and R&C Mileage Payment Allowance = drivers set price within this window to ensure no profit made (in keeping with car Members have profiles Optional gender filter Makes recommendations number of existing users based in Frome *If lift is cancelled, payment will be refunded automatically within 48hrs Overall best platform. Very comprehensive FAQs on website and helpful office. Free or
first on website) Profile-holders must be over 18, guardians can make bookings on behalf of minors (e.g. smoking, food, luggage space) Shows other people looking for same journey Savings calculator Internal messaging system insurance) Includes a service fee for online payment (mileage fee + payment provider commission + VAT) - seems a minimal price. (e.g. meet in public place, notify friend of plans) Contact users in advance through internal messaging If one party wants to cancel, needs to be resolved through member support team minimal service costs, and highest usage of any platform. Is also a social enterprise. 5/5 9/10 9/10 4/5 4/5 3/5 34/40 Go Car Share App only on iPhone All registered at least 18 If not on Facebook, must be set up separately Intuitive website User profiles (linked to Facebook) Feedback left on journeys for future users Shows journeys happening near to searched if not identical Internal messaging system No compulsory charge for using the site Contribution decided by driver (suggested £0.10 pp per mile) PayPal Does not provide checks on users or ratings but feedback provided Is linked with fb so can find out info about users Optional gender filter Makes recommendations Appears quite high in Somerset No provision by platform Very good. No service charge a big positive factor but app not available on Android and process complicated if not on Facebook 2/5 9/10 10/10 4/5 4/5 0/5 29/40 Also explored Gumtree, Carshare and Carbon Heroes but were not fit for purpose