Public transportation has always been an incredible bonus of living in a big city. After all, with the option of taking a bus or train, the need for owning and maintaining a pricey vehicle is eliminated. Additionally, finding affordable and convenient parking is no longer an issue when buses and/or trains are your main forms of transportation.
Unfortunately, public transportation is not always exactly timely, making it necessary to leave home much earlier than would be required if personal transportation was available. This can be quite frustrating for those who are often pressed for time, and can even lead to problems at work if a person comes in late on a regular basis.
For this reason, many busy people—even those living in places with excellent public transportation systems—opt to own and drive their own vehicles rather than use the buses and trains available to them.
However, the sharing economy is making the lives of these busy people easier in a number of ways. From car sharing to ride sharing to the ability to rent affordable parking, peer-to-peer transportation options are popping up every day, and people are loving it.
Here are five nifty ways the sharing economy is helping people get around in the most affordable and efficient ways possible.
Ride Sharing
Of course, we all know about Uber and Lyft, the platforms that allow passengers to pay for someone to tote them around in much the same way a cab would. While these services are pretty cool, and are perfect for many occasions, there are also a great number of other ride-sharing programs available that many people aren’t even aware of.
Zimride, for instance, is a fabulous ride-sharing program that offers companies and universities the chance to set up carpooling opportunities for their employees and students. The system is simple to navigate and straightforward to use, and the prices make transportation affordable for everyone.
If your company is not a part of Zimride, but you would like to find a ride to work in the mornings, Commutewise is an excellent option. This site uses its very own social network to connect drivers with riders and make life easier for everyone involved.
Looking for a ride out of state? Openride is the site for you. This peer-to-peer ride-sharing website lets users request and offer long-distance rides in a friendly and safe community. This is the perfect way to make a bit of money during your next road trip, or to take that trip to see grandma for very little money.
Car Sharing
If you prefer to drive yourself from point A to point B, a car-sharing system may be more up your alley. There are a number of peer-to-peer car-sharing sites, and almost all of them are worth checking out.
Turo is one of the most popular car-sharing sites out there. This site has an enormous collection of vehicles listed for rent. These include cars, trucks, and even RVs, among other types of transportation. Vehicles are available in almost every city in the country, and some are even available for delivery.
Getaround, on the other hand, also has a huge number of cars to choose from, but they offer hourly rentals as well. This is perfect for anyone who needs a car for just a few hours while they run a specific errand, and has proven to be quite a popular option among customers.
Parking Sharing
Of course, if you do choose to rent a car and drive yourself around, convenient and affordable parking is going to be on your list of needs.
Luckily, the ParqEx parking-sharing platform is the perfect way to find parking spots in crowded places without breaking the bank. It’s easy to use and allows drivers like you to connect with those who have extra parking spots available, so you can find the best parking at the best prices in no time at all.
Interested in learning more about how the sharing economy can help you get around in your day-to-day life? The ParqEx team would love to hear from you.
