Zimride Offers Cars

By Amy Bernstein

In order to accomodate students' needs for transportation, both locally and far away destinations, Zimride, a new carpooling system, is being integrated into Santa Clara University.

Zimride is a social network for Santa Clara staff, faculty and students to connect and organize rides. The rides can be a one-time trip, weekly engagement or ride home for the holidays. Unlike Zipcar, which provides students with cars to borrow, Zimride has drivers use their own vehicle to carpool.

It is free to sign up for Zimride and only affiliates of the university can use it. In order to sign up, users must use their Santa Clara email account.

"It is a great program," said Millicent Kenney, Transportation Services manager. "I am excited about it."

If students need rides or have extra seats in their cars, they can post their destination and when they would like to go on the Zimride website. Once a match is found, an email is sent out to the passenger(s) and driver.
There are currently 83 commutes and eight rides posted.

"Southern California seems to be one of the most frequented destinations (for) people looking for rides at Santa Clara," said Kenney.

While sometimes the rides are free, in other cases, the driver can post how much they want a passenger to contribute for gas. The passenger looking for a ride can also post how much money he or she is willing to pay for gas when they post an inquiry.

This is the second year that Zimride has been in operation and it already has 400 members. Zimride is considering expanding to partner with Stanford and San Jose State University. This would allow people from different schools to coordinate transportation. Kenney, however, is not sure if Santa Clara is ready to partner with and trust students from other schools.

Zimride is also trying to incorporate Facebook and Paypal to the website. Facebook would allow passengers to look at the driver's profile before deciding whether they want to ride with him or her. Paypal would make the process of paying gas money far less complicated. If the gas is pre-paid online, it prevents the driver from having to ask the passenger for money on the day of the ride.

Next week, Zimride will be tabling in Benson Memorial Center to promote and encourage people to sign up. Those who sign up during that time will be entered into a drawing to win prizes including a $50 Amazon gift card and an emergency car kit.

"We want to push for Thanksgiving and holiday travel," said Kenney.

Contact Amy Bernstein at abernstein@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.