Hitchhiker Sub-etha Thumb
I may have blogged about this before, but I couldn't find it, so here goes....
It's sometimes occurred to me that it should be a solvable problem to identify the issues that prevent people from sharing transportation more, and to address them.
As I sit or stand waiting for a bus, I see car after car with a single occupant, often with a look of intense boredom, presumably from the slow-moving traffic.
In its simplest form, why don't I take a sign, write where I'm going, and hitch a ride there? I see a few issues, and I may be missing some crucial ones.
I don't think regular van pools really hit the spot for me. I need to be able to work flexible hours, both going to and coming from work.
I would only want to get a ride with someone who was going to a place within walking distance of where I'm going.
The driver and the passenger should really have some form of mutual trust relationship.
The driver and the passenger should have the option of filtering each other based on interests and personal preferences.
The driver and the passenger should be able to make the hitchhiking occasion without guarantees on either side. It should be spontaneous and non-binding.
There should be consequences if the driver or passenger are abusive, such as by driving too fast or recklessly, going off on errands, being rude or obnoxious, etc.
If the system is very successful, it should be possible for a single person to easily switch between being a driver or a passenger any day.
Drivers should have the option of getting some form of compensation.
I have some thoughts about addressing some of these issues, but I'd be curious to hear if anyone else has thoughts on the subject.
It's sometimes occurred to me that it should be a solvable problem to identify the issues that prevent people from sharing transportation more, and to address them.
As I sit or stand waiting for a bus, I see car after car with a single occupant, often with a look of intense boredom, presumably from the slow-moving traffic.
In its simplest form, why don't I take a sign, write where I'm going, and hitch a ride there? I see a few issues, and I may be missing some crucial ones.
I have some thoughts about addressing some of these issues, but I'd be curious to hear if anyone else has thoughts on the subject.
posted by Claes-Fredrik Mannby at 6:03 PM
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