Short but Helpful Blogs

[that-rideshare-dude]

Carmel

Since 1978, Carmel has been serving New York City with Cars and Limos. A few years ago, Carmel decided to make a mobile app to compete against other rideshare services in the New York City market.

What makes Carmel different than its competitors is that they offer cars anywhere between a sedan to a 40 passenger bus. All available through the app at any time of the day. However, it comes with a catch like everything. Carmel is priced around the same as calling a cab or using the app Curb. 

They don't compete in price but they are available anywhere in New York City. They also have decided to serve their customers and even have a number to call for customer service. 

For those who like reliability and comfortable rides, Carmel is perfect. They are an average size company and unlike its competitors in the rideshare market drivers for Carmel are employed by them.  

Also, a little side note: I recommend checking out their commercial advertisements. They are quite hilarious. 

In conclusion, Carmel is definitely not cheap but they do offer great service and you can rely on them for a safe trip.

Next week we are going to talk about Juno.

[that-rideshare-dude]

The mystery of Car2Go

This blog will be a little different because we're not focusing on evaluating the price. We are going to talk about Car2Go who last year discounted all North American service.

Car2Go is an interesting company because they were in cities all across the United States and earlier this year decided to take their car out.

As far as price they were cheaper than zipcar but more experience than Revel.  They offered mostly smart cars and operated through a similar system to Revel. Pick up the car parked in the streets then drop it off anywhere in the area map. 

Car2Go was operating in North America for quite a while and kept expanding throughout the years. A few years back they were bought by Sharenow, a Germany car sharing service. In late January, the company sent a message that on February 29th all services were being discontinued in the United States.

There was no explanation as to why and if you search it on Google there are very few articles. One of the few articles states Sharenow decided to remove service from North America because of the price of operating a rideshare. And the most mysterious part is... where did all the cars go? 

In Europe, SHARENOW is doing amazing and is available in 17 counties across 8 countries. In Milan, Italy, you can get a beautiful BMW or MINI convertible. How cool is that?

Next week, we're going to be talking about the rideshare Carmel!

[that-rideshare-dude]

Revel

Probably the coolest rideshare name in the industry, Revel. 

You may have heard of them; they operate in cities across the nation New York, Austin, Miami, Oakland/Berkeley, San Francisco, and Washington DC.     

For just $0.35 cents a minute and an unlock fee of $1.35, you can rent a Moped. Also you can have a passenger for just $1.00. Located throughout the streets of each of the cites. There is no motorcycle license required but it is suggested to take lessons offered by Revel. The best part is the lessons with Revel are free, plus you get two hours of driving credits for completing lessons.

Even if you don’t think Revel is worth it at the end of this, at least get the free lessons, it does not hurt. Also the cool thing about Revel is you don't have to return the Moped to the same location. You can take it anywhere within the area map and park it back on the street. That makes this ride sharing app pretty convenient compared to others.

Now let's get back to our rideshare question of the blog, is Revel worth it? 

Well let's add up the cost and compare it with a Uber ride. To unlock the Revel cost $1.35 and each minute is $0.35 Cents. We are going to use the Revel for 15 minutes away to get to our destination. The total would be $6.60. 

Comparing that with a 15 min Uber ride in New York, from Pace University to Baruch College. The total is $19.75 and that's with a private ride with Uber. Revel is cheaper and you get to take yourself there on a Moped. 

Next week, we're going to talk about Car2Go.

[that-rideshare-dude]

Hertz (Part 2)

We left off last time on Hertz having prices that sound tricky, $60 dollars plus tax. Today we're going to add up the prices and you can make the assumption if Hertz is worth it. Understand these are ballpark numbers and are subject to change. When going on the Hertz website I put December 8th to December 9th, one day. The cheapest car available was $37.50 before taxes and that is a Chevrolet Spark or similar. This rate is if I choose to pay now. If I choose to pay later it's $53.63 before taxes.  

Let's say I choose to pay now, $37.50. Now it asks me If I want to add insurance which if I get into an accident I will pay nothing, extremely important. That adds $9.00 bringing the total to $46.50. However, this insurance does not cover liability which protects me, if  I get into an accident and the other person sues me. Also extremely important adding $17.95, bringing the total now to $64.45. What if I get into an accident?  I also need to be covered for that, hospital bills can be insane. Protection package another $2.95 brining the total now to $67.40. Now with taxes that goes up to $88.67. 

Not too bad right? Hold that thought just one more second. $88.67 is great but what if under 25 that is another $35 dollars a day bringing the total to $123.67. Also you need to pay gas and even if you're refilling only once that adds another $30 bringing it to $153.67. Let's be honest, if we were renting a car, we were going somewhere far away meaning we were filling up more than once. By the end of the rental, you're looking to pay 200-240 dollars with tolls and gas.

What do you think is cheaper now?  

Next week we are going to go back to rideshare companies. Specifically, we’re going to be talking about Revel.   

[that-rideshare-dude]

Hertz (Part 1)

You may have heard of Hertz, It's a popular rental car company.

What you may have never heard is Hertz has been in business for over 100 years. The founder, Walter Jacobs was 22 years old when he started Hertz. 

Since its founding, Hertz has become one of the most popular rental car companies. Expanding past the United States to becoming a worldwide company. Operating in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Hertz has also built a positive reputation around customer service. They were ranked #1 in Rental Car Customer by J.D. Power.

Overall a great company with a positive reputation but what about their pricing? How are their prices... Are they worth it? On priceline It says $60 dollars a day plus tax, sounds like a good deal. These are some questions you might have if you ever saw an advertisement from Hertz. It can be tricky because 60 dollars plus tax sounds like a good deal compared to double the amount at Zipcar.

In part 2 I'm going to explain the method of rental car companies, specifically Hertz.

[that-rideshare-dude]

My Zipcar Experience

Last week I took a zipcar for the first time. I rented the car from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am and was charged 110 dollars.

The process was very simply I taped on the zipcar app, put the amount of time I wanted to rent the car from, and picked the car up. The car was a subaru and by the looks of it it was fairly new. Zipcar pays for gas and gives you 180 miles every additional mile costs a certain amount.

It's pricey in my opinion but comparing the prices to a regular car rental company its not much of a difference. It is actually cheaper if your not going past 180 miles because Zipcar pays for gas. And gas is around 25-50 dollars for a fill tank. Also the zipcar was convicent, the car was a few blocks from my home.

There is no drop off location in another area, you must bring the car to the same pick up location.  

In conclusion, Zipcar is great but using a rideshare app like uber is cheaper to get around locally and even out of town.              

Check out next week's blog as we go off the topic of rideshares to talk about renting a car from Hertz (a rental car company)

[that-rideshare-dude]

Is it worth it to drive yourself with Zipcar?

Zipcar started in January 2000, in Cambridge. Today they are all across the nation. They are the largest car sharing company available in the United States market.

With a zipcar you rent a car for an hour or the whole day, it's up to you. With rates starting at $12 an hour to averaging $70 a day. Depending on where you live the cost will go up. For example in New York City it is $18 an hour and $100 a day plus taxes and other fees.

I'm sure just by seeing these prices you can assume what I will say next. No it is not worth it because it's cheaper on average to take an Uber or Lyft. There are casinos where you might need a car and it is beneficial or if you're like me you want to drive a car and dont own one. Zipcar also has another benefit when needing a car. They are not sketchy like other rental car companies. They are straight up on what they offer and prices do not change unless your driving route has tolls. Zipcar does not cover tolls but they do cover gas.

In conclusion, Zipcar is great but they are not the cheapest car rental but they are the most convenient one. Zipcars are most probably located a few blocks from your house and can be unlocked in a few minutes.

Check out next week for my experience driving with Zipcar.

[that-rideshare-dude]

Curb

You probably heard of Curb? It is a rideshare app but not like Uber. Curb started in 2015 and works with the Yellow Cabs of the United States.

This rideshare app eliminates the idea of cheap rides because this is what I call a regular price cab. However, there are benefits of using Curb especially if you live in Manhattan. In Manhattan, You can get a cab within two minutes because of how widely available yellow cabs are. And drivers with more experience.

The greatest part is the nostalgic feeling.If you're from NYC  then you probably remember  taking a yellow cab as a kid. Now all we know is Uber and Lyft and it's been a while since we hailed a yellow cab. 

In conclusion, there is no cost benefit to taking a yellow cab but the nostalgic feeling is worth millions.

Check out next week’s blog as we talk about the cost of driving yourself with Rideshare app Zipcar.

[that-rideshare-dude]

Qaar

Maybe you have heard of Qaar or maybe not. Qaar is a new rideshare company that launched in June 2020 and operates across New York City. 

What makes Qaar Unique? Qaar gives drivers 100 percent of earnings. To give you an idea how that relates to the popular rideshare company Uber, they give 30 percent. Now you may be asking If Qaar gives 100 percent how do they make money? Qaar charges a monthly fee of operation. 

Why should I use Qaar? 

Money Perspective 

Qaar is a bit more expensive than Uber Or Lyft but allow you to pick your driver

Since Qaar is new they are offering promotions that can save you big

Ethical Perspective 

You are able to use a rideshare that cares about its drivers

Its up to you because in the future you will not being saving money but you will get good karma as Qaar’s motto says.

[that-rideshare-dude]

Via

Founded in 2013, Via brought a new perspective to the rideshare industry. Starting Operations in the Upper West Side of Manhattan to now in over 20 countries

What is Via’s new perspective? Being a luxury rideshare without making people spend big bucks. How did they accomplish that? To start, Via made a deal with Mercedes Benz to offer a discounted price of the smaller version of its sprinter vehicle to drivers.

Not every driver is in a Mercedes but Via has a requirement for the type of vehicles. They must be models 2011 or later and leather seats or fabric seats 2016 or newer. Via is about luxury and because of that they are more expensive than lyft or Uber but not a significant difference. For example if an Uber ride is 10 dollars the Via ride will be 12.50. The difference is not significant unless you use Uber everyday.

However, in Manhattan Via's shared ride is cheaper than other rideshare companies. The reason for that is the demand and Via's system of operation. The demand is high in manhattan and Vias system of operation is paying drivers hourly rather than a percentage. Also because drivers are paid hourly they are in no rush and that makes it a safer ride for you.

Check out next week’s blog as we talk about the new Rideshare Company Qaar.

[that-rideshare-dude]

Lyft or Uber

If you're like me, Lyft and Uber are downloaded on your phone at all times. Even though you don't use either app that often, you keep it just in case. When that just in case time happens you always choose Uber first.

Why Uber and not Lyft first? The perception is Uber is cheaper and you will have a driver within minutes. However, when you weren't rushed by time you checked Uber than Lyft and found Lyft to be cheaper at the time.

You took the Lyft but the next time you checked Lyft and Uber, Uber was Cheaper. Why is that? Lyft and Uber calculate their prices on two factors: demand and standard fee. That is why prices fluctuate and a trip that cost you five dollars today might cost you 12 dollars another day. Even though it's the same route.

That brings me to my conclusion neither is cheaper but Lyft and Uber are not the only rideshare companies.

Check out next week’s blog as we go into additional Rideshare companies.

[that-rideshare-dude]

Uber and Lyft Short History

After a night out with friends, there is always that one person who announces “I’m calling a Uber” and within 5 mins a driver in a Toyota Camry is there. This has become apart of our culture, tap on your phone and a driver is there.

Founded in 2009 Uber has become the way of getting a cab. It has also become the generic name for rideshare applications and it makes sense, Uber is available all over the world.

Another popular name in the Rideshare Industry is Lyft. Lyft was founded in 2012 and is the main competitor with Uber. Together the two rideshare apps dominate the market and offer similar features. With similar features why choose Lyft over Uber and vice versa?

Check out next week’s blog as we go in-depth to picking Uber or Lyft.

[that-rideshare-dude]

About Us

Ever wondered which rideshare company gives you the best deal for your buck? Welcome because my blog will answer that question and many more. With blogs biweekly, we will discuss various topics around the rideshare industry. Blogs will be informative not opinionated. We want to give you new perspectives not guide you to one rideshare application.