What is Ridesharing / Carpooling / Vanpooling Software? Ridesharing vs. Ridehailing
Nowadays, the terms ridesharing and ridehailing are commonly used interchangeably, but this is not a correct interpretation. Ridehailing is an arrangement between a vehicle owner and a person who enters a pickup location and destination through an app or website, for a fee. This app or website is managed by a third-party, who takes a fee for connecting passengers and drivers.1 Ridesharing, in contrast, is when riders are matched with other travelers heading in the same direction, and share a ride.
A Quick Look at Ridehailing
Ridehailing is intended to generate a profit for the driver, who provides service similar to a taxi, but the process of securing a ride is slightly different. Ridehailing/TNCs riders must book their rides through an app. Some prime examples of ridehailing companies that you may be familiar with are Uber and Lyft.
Let’s take a moment to decipher the differences between ridehailing and ridesharing:
| Ridehailing/TNC | Ridesharing/Carpooling |
|---|---|
|
Usually a one-time or single trip |
Typically occurs on a regular basis (daily commutes), an arrangement between two or more people travelling to the same place. |
|
Transactional in nature 2 |
A regular commute, often with the same carpooler. |
|
Drivers are employees of a third-party |
Carpool participants usually volunteer to drive or share driving responsibilities. |
Benefits of Ridesharing and Ridesharing Management Software
There are several benefits of ridesharing itself:
- Potential to significantly reduce traffic congestion
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Save riders in commuting and parking costs
- Economical, alternate form of transportation
- Easily book a ride
Ridesharing/carpooling software helps manage the colossal task of matching thousands upon thousands of travelers with rides, while ensuring information is current, as well as creating necessary reports – all undertakings that can be quite tedious.
What are the components of ridesharing/carpooling management software?
TripSpark’s ridesharing software, RidePro, encompasses a variety of tools needed to manage these types of services. Here’s a glimpse of some core features:
| Industry Core Technologies | TripSpark's Solutions (RidePro) |
|---|---|
|
Multi-Modal Matching |
Matching tool to support active Transportation Demand Management in biking and walking groups, and connections to new technologies as well as multi-modal solutions, allowing commuters to build a customized transportation plan. |
|
Multi-Modal Logging |
Track alternate commute activities, providing visibility on the impact of efforts relating to your goals and grant opportunities, and to create reports for individuals, employers, and groups. Commuters can see their accumulated savings and much more. |
|
Vanpool Management |
Rider matching and search, wait lists, ridership data collection, vehicle maintenance tracking, vanpool billing, and fare collection while generating submission-ready S-10 reports, for those participating in the FTA's National Transit Database program. |
|
Program Management |
Integrated toolset allows staff to focus on program growth and includes everything from Guaranteed Ride Home program management, extensive built-in reporting, automated user surveys, to bike locker rental management. |
Summary
Ridesharing software and the applications above greatly help in managing and coordinating trips and vehicle fleets. Implementing the right technology can help you provide great service that is environmentally friendly, at a more economical rate than TNC vehicles.