Ride Sharing is cheap, and utilisation rates are higher than standard taxis, from 4-40%.1 However, if the journey wouldn’t have been taken, or been by a different mode, then perhaps it would have been less polluting and congesting. Only if it increases the occupancy in an already planned trip does it constitute an improved outcome for all. Transport for London found that the number of Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) in central London increased by 56% between 2013-2015.2 UberX launched in London in July 2013, but there is evidence that people who ride share give up their cars; 28% of London Uber users have given up theirs.1
Car sharing (Car Clubs) have also been shown to reduce in the number of private vehicles owned. For every car share, there were 7-11 less privately owned vehicles.2 There was also an 11% reduction in vehicle miles and associated pollution.
Bike sharing started in Lyon in 2005, and was followed by London in 2010.
In the UK, 22% of bike sharers said they previously travelled by car or taxi.3
The other key finding of bike share schemes was the take up and return to cycling, 9% of cycle share users bought a bike as a result of joining one of the schemes.3
If you want to reduce congestion and pollution, cycle share schemes offer the biggest impact. Car and ride sharing reduce the amount of privately owned cars,.
- Does Sharing cars really reduce car use? Transport and Environment June 2017
- Travel in London Report 9 TfL 2016
- Public Bike Share Users Survey Results 2016. carplusbikeplus.org.uk
