Google revs up carpooling with Waze app in Israel trial

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/07/google-waza-ridewith-carpool-app-israel-trial

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Carpooling could be set for a new trip around the block following a decision by Google to test a new app in Israel.

RideWith uses technology developed by Waze, an Israeli start-up bought by Google in 2013 for about $1bn.

Its navigation system, which uses data from users’ smartphones to give live traffic information, learns the routes drivers most frequently take to work and matches them up with people wanting to travel in the same direction.

It is aimed at people who work for the same company and live reasonably close to each other.

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An estimated 200,000 people participate in carpooling in Israel already.

Unlike ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, drivers using RideWith cannot profit from participating and thus the app relies to some degree on goodwill.

They can charge a modest fee that is based on the distance travelled and wear and tear, with a maximum price set. Waze will take a 15% cut.

Drivers will be limited to two journeys a day, with more passengers than drivers expected initially.

Waze said it was “conducting a small, private beta test” in the greater Tel Aviv area for a carpooling scheme, but had nothing further to announce.

The service is expected to be offered in other parts of Israel if the Tel Aviv trial is successful.

The Waze app is available on Android and iOS and allows users to see friends who are driving to the same destination if connected via Facebook.

The non-profit format of RideWith could improve its chances of being accepted more readily if Google decides to introduce the app in other countries.

Uber is battling opposition from taxi drivers and regulators in numerous markets.

Last week, it shut down the UberPop service, which allowed non-professional drivers to take passengers, in France following the arrest of two executives and protests from taxi drivers.

In May, a court in Milan ordered the company to stop offering the service in Italy.

Uber has not offered the Pop service in the UK, where it operates as a registered minicab company.