App provides platform for community lift-sharing

San Francisco-based SideCar enables people to take advantage of lifts from trustworthy drivers in the community.

While car sharing isn’t a new concept, we’ve seen a few examples of startups simplifying the process. The Car Club has already provided a way for owners to rent out their unused vehicles in the UK, and now San Francisco-based SideCar enables people to take advantage of lifts from trustworthy drivers in the community. The free app can be used both by people seeking an alternative to expensive taxi companies and car owners looking to make some money out of their vehicle. After entering in their pick-up and drop-off locations, SideCar connects users with local drivers — showing their photograph, name, type of car and current location. True to the app’s community focus, it also displays the average donation usually received from riders. Customers can then decide to choose the driver that is closest to them, the cheapest, or the one that seems the friendliest – indicating the amount they are willing to pay at the same time. Drivers with a four-door vehicle need to fill out a form on the website, upload the necessary documents – car registration, driver’s licence, insurance forms – and pass a short video interview before they become a certified lift provider for SideCar. Donations from riders are voluntary, but any received are paid weekly every Friday. The primary aim of SideCar, however, is to forge greater links between members of the community through sharing, and encourage both parties to have a friendly experience during their time – however short – together. At the moment, the app is primarily used in the San Francisco area but there is nothing to stop other communities getting involved. Is this something that would prove popular in your part of the world? Spotted by: Florent Lesauvage