Opinions on Blablacar – Carpooling between individuals
It is not always easy to find cheap transport solutions in France. Taking his car often means paying gasoline and tolls alone and endure monotonous journeys. But it was without counting on Blablacar, a leader in carpooling among individuals. The goal? Make each drive more user-friendly and cost-effective. A pioneer in the market, Blablacar continues to attract new members and to evolve: today, there are no less than 65 million members in 22 countries.
But can we trust this system? Who's hiding behind Blablacar? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this site? Let's discover together the carpool giant made in France.
What is BlaBlacar?
Blablacar is a community-based carpooling platform that allows people to get in touch with each other during a car ride. It was created in 2006 by Frédéric Mazzella . This former student at Stanford realized that by making his trip to the university with friends, he could borrow the “carpool lanes”, which are routes reserved for carpooling in the USA. He thus gained valuable time every day.
By returning to France, he imagines a carpooling service via Internet and mobile, which would enable everyone to find themselves effectively to share the cost of a journey. It can be said that the concept has seduced, since Blablacar is now present in 22 countries and brings together more than 45 million active members. Despite tough competition, Blablacar is today the world leader in carpooling. In 2018, almost 50 million users will be registered!
Free for years, the platform now takes up a commission of up to 20% on each trip. A passage to the pay system that has made it possible to introduce more security and seriousness on the part of users. Indeed, before 2011, one in three passengers did not attend the reserved appointment. In 2017, the platform also expanded its concept to daily home-work routes. This thanks to the application Blablalines , downloaded several million times since.
But can we trust the drivers present on Blablacar? Are prices really advantageous? And how to use this carpooling platform for the first time?
Good to know. : to extend its offer beyond carpooling and thus to invest in a new model of mobility, Blablacar recently made an offer to acquire Ouibus, the leader of the coach in France? A fund-raising event of 101 million euros, “impliant SNCF and existing investors of BlaBlaCar”.
How does it work?
On the site or via the application, registration on the platform is free of charge. Then, depending on whether you offer a route or look for one, you have two types of user profile (for one and the same connection): be passenger or driver.
Being a passenger on Blablacar:
To book a seat with a driver on Blablacar, you can search according to your destination, your dates and times. The platform then offers several routes by specifying the starting and arrival points. You can also send a message to the driver to ask questions.
Then you will have to reserve your place and pay it. In a second time, the driver’s number will be communicated to you to agree on the meeting place. After the trip, you can give your opinion and you will receive one from the driver.
Be a driver on Blablacar:
To offer a carpool on Blablacar, you can post an ad specifying your appointment point, the number of places available, the destination and the price. Then you will only have to wait for the reservations. You will then receive the telephone number of the people who have reserved their place, in order to find you easily. Once the trip is completed, you will receive your money and a notice on your profile.
How can we trust the various Blablacar users?
On Blablacar's website you will find many elements to change your sometimes negative prejudices on carpooling. Confidence is a key value on the platform. Here no pseudo on the profiles but a first name and an age are specified. Passenger identity documents are verified by the site and it also offers different levels of experience to reassure users. Smoker or non-smoking vehicle, punctuality, blind or melomane driver, everything is done to provide you with maximum information before your departure and build a climate of confidence.
If you are testing the platform for the first time, we invite you to pay attention to the driver or passengers profile before any confirmation. Even as a driver, you have the right to choose the passengers who will travel with you through the site.
Advantages and disadvantages of Blablacar
Benefits:
- Good way to save money – Many offers available even in the last minute – Criterion “between women” possible - Based on trust between users – Community Platform
Disadvantages:
– Significant percentage taken by the platform - Not always sincere - Difficulties in finding meeting points close to home
Blablacar: L’avis de la rédaction
The Blablacar carpooling platform is a good alternative to travellers in France. However, in addition to the economic aspect, the ecological aspect of such a platform is to be emphasized. Indeed, the number of car trips is always higher, while their occupancy rate remains excessively low (1.1 to 1.3 car occupant in Paris). The concept of carpool propelled by Blablacar (usual stays and daily trips) is therefore always a solution under the elbow.
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