Zimride: Socializing Your Way to Work and Other Destinations

EcoGreenOffice recently reported in a Green Education Section article, that if the 40 percent of the U.S. workforce that could work from home telecommuted just half of the time, greenhouse gases would be reduced by 84 million tons, the equivalent of taking 15 million cars off the road each year, according to the Telework Research Network.⁷

However, since telecommuting may not be an option, Zimride may be the next best thing.

The upstart company uses social media as a platform to connect drivers with people who need rides — saving people money and helping the environment, according to GreenBiz.

By signing up for free through Facebook, Zimride customers can check out information on their ride-sharing partners.  Those offering a ride get paid via PayPal.

However, Zimride was founded not only as a way to help people save money and the environment, but also because “life is better when you share a ride.”

Here’s more on the “Zimride Ethos:”

“Communities aren't born. They're made. Built on the shoulders of shared
experiences. Created by people with a common cause,
a common history, or in our case,
a common destination.”

 

Zimride currently has partnerships with more than 100 universities and companies, including Facebook.  The company formed more than 26,000 carpools by last summer and saved drivers more than $50 million in expenses, according to GreenBiz.  By last September, Zimride raised $6 million in venture capital from investors

The company got its name after one of the cofounders Logan Green traveled to Zimbabwe and saw lots of people sharing rides.

The other cofounder John Zimmer told GreenBiz, "When you look at our highway system, 80% of seats are empty. That's a 20% occupancy rate. That's an opportunity."

Driving to work everyday with extra seats in the car?  Zimride provides an opportunity to help the environment and make money, as well as friends in the community by connecting you with others who need a ride and who are heading the same way.