21st century ride sharing comes to WFU

Photo courtesy of zimride.com

Wake Forest University’s alternative transportation options have expanded over the summer with the addition of Zimride, an online ride-sharing network.  Zimride works by connecting drivers who have extra seats with riders going to the same destination or somewhere else along the way.  Drivers and riders connect via Zimride’s website or Facebook page, where drivers can list their destination and the number of seats available and riders can book a seat in a car headed in the right direction.  Cost-sharing arrangements are made by ride-sharers up front before the departure date.  Zimride is an excellent way to offset costs for all kinds of trips, but is especially useful for students traveling to and from campus for breaks, like Thanksgiving break, fall break, and winter break.

Wake Forest students can also use Zimride to connect with students at nearby universities who have similar travel paths.  Zimride is an economically prudent choice for drivers, who can save 75% on travel costs by sharing a ride with three passengers, and for riders, who can save the cost of a plane, train, or bus ticket.  Many Zimride users report extremely positive experiences, like meeting people who become close friends or even significant others (remember When Harry Met Sally?) by using Zimride.

Both Zimride and Zipcar, the car-sharing option on campus, are part of the collaborative consumption movement. Collaborative consumption uses online network technologies to strengthen our communities and to use goods and services more efficiently through shared access and direct exchange.  By using Zimride, students can reduce the total impact of our campus community on the environment, help one another by sharing travel costs, and get to know each other better on the road back and forth to Wake Forest.

To join our ride-sharing network, visit  http://www.zimride.com/wfu.  To join our car-sharing network, visit http://www.zipcar.com/wfu.