1. What is RideCell?

 

RideCell is a state of the art cell-based alternative transit matching service.  It provides real-time matching of drivers and riders who have similar destinations and common routes. 

RideCell reduces the cost of commuting, emissions, and congestion while finding you a ride from where you are to where you want to go in real time.  In addition to traditional public transit options (like MARTA in Atlanta), RideCell can match you with other carpoolers, vanpools, and institutional/corporate shuttles. 

 

2. How does it work?

 

RideCell intelligently combines real time data from geographical information systems, location aware technologies, and transit alternatives to determine the best transportation option - all thorough the cellular network.

 

3. Why should I use RideCell over a traditional carpool?

 

You can do both. Think of RideCell as a carpool-on-demand service. Existing carpooler can use RideCell as an information service to keep drivers and riders in real-time communication, provide trip logging and validation, and give you the flexibility of immediately finding another carpool should one of the participants need to change their schedule.

 

4. How do I find or offer a ride?

 

Use the RideCell find a ride wizard to: 1) Create a trip by defining an origin, destination, and desired travel time. 2) Select Ride Or Drive 3) Submit the trip request. 4) RideCell will notify you as soon as a match is found.

 

5. Who will I be ridesharing with?

 

For the CDC pilot, you will only be matched with other individuals that have registered and verified as CDC employees or contractors. Your matches are then screened based on your personal preferences, i.e. smoking/nonsmoking, gender, etc.

 

6. What is the driver, rider rating system and how does it work?

 

The rating system provides user feedback, similar to Ebay’s approach. After completion of a trip, both the driver can rider can rate their experience.

 

7. What if I receive a rating that I disagree with?

 

If you do not believe that the rating your trip partner gave you is fair, please email RideCell at info@ridecell.com with an explanation of your concerns.

 

8. How does cost sharing work?

 

While currently not implemented for the CDC pilot, cost sharing allows the driver and rider to share the cost of a trip. Typically, the rider assists the driver with some portion of the gas cost. Future releases of RideCell may automate this process.

     

9. How much will I be charged as a passenger?

 

Currently, there are no charges associated with using the RideCell-CDC service. If you are a rider and are willing to share the cost of a trip with a driver, you should let them know.

 

10. How much will I receive for giving someone a ride?

 

Currently, there are no charges associated with using the RideCell-CDC service. If you are driving and would like the rider to share the cost of a trip, you should let them know.

   

11. What should I do if I am not comfortable with the driver or rider?

 

If at anytime you are not comfortable with the person you are going to ride with, you should decline the rideshare. While RideCell has many features that screen the matches, you are ultimately responsible for your personal comfort and safety.

 

12. How are carbon savings calculated?

 

Carbon savings are based on the difference in fuel burned between a rideshare trip and the equivalent trip made in single occupancy vehicles.

 

13. What about insurance if there is an accident?

 

The driver is required by Georgia law to carry automobile insurance. As with any auto accident, liability is determined by the nature of the incident. You should contact your insurance agent directly if you have any questions about your coverage.

 

14. What if I want to quit the trial early?

 

You may quit the trial at any time by simply stop using the service and notifying RideCell at info@ridecell.com.

 

15. What if I can't find a ride home or have an emergency that requires me to leave?

 

Commuters that use alternative transportation are eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program offered by the Atlanta Regional Commission.  It provides free transportation to your car or home in the event of an unplanned event.  You must apply to the GRH program in advance of needing the service.  RideCell highly recommends that anyone who carpools, vanpools, or uses alternative transit apply for this free service.  Apply at: GRH 2009 Application  Please note:  applications typically take 2-3 weeks to process.

 

16. What is the Guaranteed Ride Home program?

 

Commuters that use alternative transportation are eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program offered by the Atlanta Regional Commission.  It provides free transportation to your car or home in the event of an unplanned event.  You must apply to the GRH program in advance of needing the service. Apply at:  GRH 2009 Application  Please note:  applications typically take 2-3 weeks to process.

 

GRH is managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission, not RideCell.  RideCell highly recommends that anyone who carpools, vanpools, or uses alternative transit apply for this free service.  Apply at: GRH 2009 Application

17. How much will the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) Program cost me?
    
    

The GRH program is free to individuals and is provided as a service with funds from the Federal Highway Administration, Georgia Department of Transportation and the Atlanta Regional Commission.

 

18. How do I participate in the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) Program?
    
    

To use the GRH Program, you must:

 

1. Register with RideSmart Guaranteed Ride Home before you need a ride home (Note:  Applications typically take 2-3 weeks to process)
2. Receive an enrollment letter from RideSmart approving program participation
3. Ride to work by carpooling, vanpooling, taking transit, biking or walking
4. Live/work in the Atlanta region
5. Have an unscheduled event which causes you to need the service.

 

19. What is rideshare etiquette?

 

The driver sets the rules. The driver sets tone for whether this will be a silent trip, or conversational trip. He/she also has control over the radio and music, etc.  Even though it may sound impolite not to initiate conversation, there are some good reasons for this. The driver (and sometimes the rider) may not be interested in getting to know the other person.  For many riders, it's a chance to think, sleep, or read the paper. For the driver, it may be the only chance to listen to the news or relax to his or her own music. The last thing both riders and drivers want is to feel obligated to carry on a 30-minute conversation.  Now, with that being said, sometimes conversations do take place, and friendships and networking result, but you'll just have to use your own judgment as to when it's appropriate.

 

20. How do you estimate savings?

 

We add the gas savings (because of the shared gas costs) with the savings in maintenance based on AAA's published maintenance costs per mile (pdf) for a medium sized sedan.

 

21. What should I do if I find a bug in the system or have a feature suggestion?

 

Please email info@ridecell.com with any technical problems, suggestions, or feature enhancements.