Introducing Driver Destination • Hacker News Board

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#41

Post by seizethecheese » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:10 PM UTC

grimtrigger wrote: post #23

michaelvkpdx wrote: post #22

Trying to charge people for carpooling, something we've traditionally done for free. The "sharing economy" isn't about sharing- it's about monetizing free things and taking a cut. This is not in any way improving humanity. It's a step backwards.

> we've traditionally done for free I don't have stats, but my guess is that most people don't carpool. So traditionally we haven't done it at all.

This is especially true about carpooling with a stranger. Generally, carpooling now happens with neighbors/coworkers, which isn't exactly the same use-case as this.

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#42

Post by evanb » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:10 PM UTC

cwilson wrote: post #11

eli wrote: post #7

Shared carpooling (called "slugging" here) has a been a viable commuting option for people in the DC area for decades. No money changes hands; the point is that a car with 3+ people can use the much faster HOV lanes. http://www.slug-lines.com/Slugging/About_slugging.asp

The thing is, I've never heard that term until now. I lived in the DC area for two years and worked with quite a few commuters. It's cool that it's a concept but there hasn't been mainstream adoption to the point where it's as easy as an app in your pocket until now. If a tree falls in the woods...

There are signs all over downtown, if you look for them.

http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8098/8585051792_3f22025467_m....

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#43

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:11 PM UTC

michaelvkpdx wrote: post #22

Trying to charge people for carpooling, something we've traditionally done for free. The "sharing economy" isn't about sharing- it's about monetizing free things and taking a cut. This is not in any way improving humanity. It's a step backwards.

[deleted]

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#44

Post by jrkelly » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:11 PM UTC

So lyft for the burbs and uber for the cities, then? Burbs require non-professional drivers (i.e. daily commuters) to become drivers since ride request density isn't high enough to support professional drivers.

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#45

Post by evanb » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:11 PM UTC

smokey_the_bear wrote: post #31

This could work really well for things like getting to Tahoe on the weekends too.

In that case, most people would want to ensure round-trips, though.

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#46

Post by oostevo » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:12 PM UTC

cwilson wrote: post #11

eli wrote: post #7

Shared carpooling (called "slugging" here) has a been a viable commuting option for people in the DC area for decades. No money changes hands; the point is that a car with 3+ people can use the much faster HOV lanes. http://www.slug-lines.com/Slugging/About_slugging.asp

The thing is, I've never heard that term until now. I lived in the DC area for two years and worked with quite a few commuters. It's cool that it's a concept but there hasn't been mainstream adoption to the point where it's as easy as an app in your pocket until now. If a tree falls in the woods...

It's extremely popular between DC/North Arlington and the southern and western suburbs.

I used to work in Crystal City, and on my commute home I would see dozens of people -- probably more than 30 most days -- lined up at the designated slug line stop.

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#47

Post by 001sky » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:13 PM UTC

pinaceae wrote: post #18

ass backwards. you want the next bn dollar idea? while I am at work, my car sits in the parking lot of the building for 8-10hours, unused. i don't want to be a lyft/uber driver. i want MY CAR to work for uber/lyft in its off hours. have a driver pick it up in the morning at the office, then return it when i want to get home (full gas tank and cleaned car for an extra fee). someone takes this and get rich.

awesome idea, certainly a taxi-medalion that was portable in nyc could be a godsend to people who don't want to do opposite side parking.

Also, places with a lot of vacation or second homes would be a candidate if they keep a second car/suv etc there.

I'd worry that there is not enough of the right kind of demand tho. Most people are not getting taxis during mid-day. And the people who work professionally have different needs for layout and might be too harsh on your gear.

There is a reason you cannot lease a pickup at any reasonable rate (unlike, say a BMW or Mercedes). The lack of use during the day is priced into the latter, and priced out of the former (would be used/abused with low and unpredictable residual).

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#48

Post by legohead » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:14 PM UTC

eli wrote: post #7

Shared carpooling (called "slugging" here) has a been a viable commuting option for people in the DC area for decades. No money changes hands; the point is that a car with 3+ people can use the much faster HOV lanes. http://www.slug-lines.com/Slugging/About_slugging.asp

How are HOV lanes in DC? In SoCal my experience has been that if the traffic is bad, the car pool lanes are just as backed up.

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#49

Post by cwilson » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:14 PM UTC

oostevo wrote: post #46

cwilson wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The thing is, I've never heard that term until now. I lived in the DC area for two years and worked with quite a few commuters. It's cool that it's a concept but there hasn't been mainstream adoption to the point where it's as easy as an app in your pocket until now. If a tree falls in the woods...

It's extremely popular between DC/North Arlington and the southern and western suburbs. I used to work in Crystal City, and on my commute home I would see dozens of people -- probably more than 30 most days -- lined up at the designated slug line stop.

That's crazy that I never heard about it. Is it a recent thing? Very cool that it has taken off regardless, and I suppose serves as a proof of concept for Lyft/Uber.

Re: Introducing Driver Destination

#50

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Nov 25, 2014, 9:14 PM UTC

awwstn wrote: post #16

This is really great – though I wonder if Lyft runs the risk of people making the connection once (i.e. finding a person with similar commute times/locations who is willing to pay for rides) and deciding to arrange a paid carpool that doesn't go through Lyft.

[deleted]