TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Gas Prices Fuel Interest In Ride Boards
Tribune Photo By KATHY MOORE
Crystal Guillen is one of a growing number of people who are looking towards ride sharing to save costs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: May 6, 2008
Related Links
HUDSON - Here's what caused Crystal Guillen to make a bold change in her life: spending $350 a month on gas and tolls for her daily commute to MacDill Air Force Base.
So Guillen placed an ad on Craigslist to see whether anyone wanted to share her 88-mile roundtrip commute. Her 2008 Volkswagen Passat gets 29 miles per gallon, but the commute still cuts deep into her family's budget.
There sits her post, between someone offering cheap rides for convicted drunk drivers who lost their license and another from someone seeking a rider to New York, offering "room for one nonsmoker, no drugs."
Guillen is among a new breed of otherwise content solo motorists who have turned to Internet ride boards to find passengers and save on gas.
Some call it cyber hitchhiking or Internet carpooling, but as regular unleaded reaches $3.60 per gallon, Guillen calls it essential.
"I never would have considered anything like this before, but these are desperate times," said Guillen, a U.S. Navy petty officer second class stationed at MacDill.
She hasn't had any takers so far, but she remains hopeful. Record gas prices have more people visiting Internet ride boards every day, experts say.
The creators of Internet ride boards say the sites capitalize on one of the Web's best characteristics: the ability to connect strangers who share similar interests or desires. In this case, that means sharing rides to save money.
Web-based ride board users include everyone from people seeking to share a daily commute, to a lift to the doctor to something more outlandish. One recent poster wanted to share a ride to a fetish convention in Miami.
In the last several months, people citing high gas prices grew among the usual posters on Craigslist's local ride board.
Michael Sogluizzo made his first post on a ride board as part of several ideas he's exploring to cut gas costs, such as taking the bus or buying a motorcycle.
He commutes about 16 miles each way from his home in Palm Harbor to Port Richey, where he is a postal worker.
He hopes to fill his Kia Spectra with several other motorists who, like him, drive alone.
"There's a huge waste of money in having four or five vehicles traveling the same daily route carrying only one person," said Sogluizzo, 51.
Commuters can choose from an array Internet ride boards.
Craigslist is comparatively wide open, and allows people to post almost any information they like. Drivers usually include the destination, their schedule and whether any compensation is expected. Those seeking rides are similarly free to post, often offering money and companionship.
Several Web-based ride boards require users to register and answer an array of questions to match would-be carpoolers, such as the make and model of the car, the driver's schedule, the destination and whether they allow smoking.
They send a list of possible matches to the user.
Several of the Web-based ride boards are free to drivers and riders, making their money by selling ads on the site.
Ridester.com doesn't charge registered users to offer a ride or search for a ride. If a match is made, the company gets a $2 ticket fee and a 9.5 percent processing fee on the driver's asking price.
"Gas prices are eating people alive, and now we have the technology to bring all these people together," said Steven Schoeffler, who started his Web-based car pooling company eRideShare.com in 1999.
The site averages 1,600 visitors each day, double the number it got when cheaper gas flowed in February, said Schoeffler, who works out of his home in Edwardsville, Ill.
The site has more than 13,000 ride share listings throughout the United States and Canada.
"People are starting to make connections with each other and can cut their gas bill in half immediately," Schoeffler said.
Donna Lenning's first venture into Internet ride sharing didn't come without apprehension.
The Seminole Heights resident sold her car last year after a series of medical ailments and the loss of her job in the Hillsborough County property appraiser's office.
About a month ago, Lenning started as a customer service representative at Verizon's office near Veterans Expressway on Hillsborough Avenue.
Lenning found Greg Carlson on an Internet ride board. Carlson began advertising his driving services on ride boards about three years ago as gas prices began to rise.
"He saved my life, that's for sure," said Lenning, 53. "But it was a little scary. You don't know who these people are. He could have been a stalker."
The founders of Web-based ride boards don't believe the Internet poses any additional risk to carpoolers. They note that hundreds of thousands of people share rides every day without incident.
Schoeffler encourages riders to meet in public places, and only after getting to know each other through e-mails and phone calls.
Brian Bass, creator of RideSearch.com, put it this way: "It's like a dating service, except you don't have to be as picky."
Maybe so, but Rick Heady didn't care for the people who responded to his recent ad.
Heady wanted to buy a Cardigan Welsh Corgi from a breeder in Pineville, La., northwest of Baton Rouge.
Before gas topped $3 a gallon, he might not have hesitated to make the 12-hour road trip.
Now it costs about $115 to fill his 1992 Chevrolet conversion van, which gets 14 miles per gallon on the freeway.
Heady figured he could save on gas by advertising for a rider.
The three calls he got were from women.
One said she was spending time on the beach, and struck Heady as an unreliable drifter.
A student from University of South Florida inquired, but never called back.
Heady remembers one caller in particular.
"She was drunk," he said.
Heady canceled the trip and bought an airplane ticket to ship the dog instead.
Guillen remains encouraged, despite the potential for aggravation and the diligence necessary to screen potential riders.
Optimism fills her ad: "If I can get enough people together we could drive our own cars only once or twice a week!!!"
Perhaps no one will benefit more than Guillen's fiancé, Meikel deWitt, and her son, Dylan.
The money saved will translate into more weekend trips, particularly to Lowry Park Zoo and the Florida Aquarium.
"It just seemed like the financially responsible thing to try," she said. "Gas is crazy now."
Do you want to try a Web-based ride board? Here are some popular choices:
www.erideshare.com
www.ridester.com
ridesearch.com
tampa.craigslist.org/rid
tampabay.commuter.com
Source: Tribune research
Reporter Baird Helgeson can be reached at (813) 259-7668 or bhelgeson@tampatrib.com.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)
* Keep it clean
* Respect others
* Don't hate
* Don't use language you wouldn't use with your mom
* Use "Report Inappropriate Comments" link when necessary
* See Member Agreement for details
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
Reader Comments
Posted by ( karrel ) on May 7, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Boo Hoo - why are you living so far away? There is no reason to be living out there and working at MacDill or anywhere in Tampa. She should have been thinking about the environment this whole time (not that she is now), her or anyone else who lives so far away from their work. I use to live in Bloomingdale, but when I saw my work was going to be in downtown Tampa I moved my family to Tampa, for several reasons, including not wanting to spend hours on the road EVERY day of my life.
Does anyone know how far way Hudson is? How much acreage has been eaten up by people wanting to live in the "country". How much wildlife have lost their habitats and how much polution has been poured into the air by these people who just can't live in the "city".
I just have NO pity whatsoever for anyone who lives so far away and then cries because they drive in alone every day and now they are paying for it. You enjoyed your free ride and now it is time to face the music, carpool or move closer.
I am from the San Francisco Bay area. I left there in 1979 and people there had been carpooling forever when I left. That is the problem now, Florida, you cried about mass transit but didn't do anything about it, yet you continued to eat up the land, move farther and farther away from your jobs and now things are tough and you want people to feel sorry for you.
Not me - it is about time you paid at the pump! Also, why is an active duty soldier living so far away from the base? (FYI - I live 3 blocks from the base and it is a nice place to live.)
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( flpeep ) on May 7, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sheesh Karrel! Cut her some slack, I don't think she is to blame for all the woes in our community! Next thing you know you'll be blaming her for the damage trans fatty acids has done to your arteries! I do understand the sentiment though (maybe not the vehemence). I don't understand why people want to live so far out! I live on the Northwest side of Brandon, and with the new elevated expressway, it takes me about 10 mins to get to my downtown Tampa job. Even without that it takes me around 25 mins. I just don't understand why people want to spend their whole lives on the road! When you start talking about hour long commutes, that is just too much. Unfortunately, though, this is how our counties have been designed! Everything is so spread out! The developers have been pushing housing out farther to take advantage of the cheap land.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( BrassBowldotOrg ) on May 7, 2008 at 7:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
You can't really blame folks for driving their cars. HARTLine buses are horrible. They rattle, smell of urine, leak like a sieve, the air conditioning doesn't work half the time, they breakdown a lot, the drivers don't know the routes and they are extremely noisy.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( secksfenders ) on May 7, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
All people would have to do is buy a motorcycle or scooter. That would cut their fuel consumption by more than half.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( critic ) on May 7, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
re:karrel .. I believe that opinions are worthless. Since you don't know her reasons for moving a hour away maybe you shouldn't blame her for it . Did you know tampas property tax is twice the amount that it is in hudson ? Maybe that was one of her reasons. Not everyone can afford to pack there things and move closer to one s work like lucky you . Hopefully Karma will come your way for your nasty posting. Shame on you for hating on other humans.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Claylisa ) on May 7, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hey, karrel please move back to San Fran.....then jump in front of one of those rice-a-roni trolleys as soon as you get there.
Thank you!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( bigredhml ) on May 7, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
gee karrel
they say IGNORANCE IS BLISSED...but you totally disprove this good ole saying....how can you be judge and jury? do you have any idea why this family lives where they do? is it possible that with a military salary, they were unable to purchase the kind of home they NEEDED for their family near the base where she works? could the property values be toooo high for them by the base? this young lady seems to be an intelligent person, why would she live so far if she didn't have to? its not like most people who can chose their work location...they work where they're told to work.. at least they were smart enough to try to invest in a home instead of renting... it is obvious that you are totally unaware of the real estate values in the area... what a shame... maybe you should research your information before you make a comment so you don't look so foolish. i applaude her efforts to establish assests for her family even if it takes some sacrifice... i also applaude her and all of the men and women who serve our country! besides she is not responsible for the destruction of the wildlife...the house was already there when she purchased it ...LOL...
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( bafish ) on May 7, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I tried riding the bus to work and overall it wasn't a bad experience. The ride was quiet, fast, and for me stress free. The problem is that I have to be at work at 7:15, I can take the express from the Brandon area but it only goes to specific points and to get a transfer bus to work I would have to wait until 8:45. I think Hartline needs to re-evaluate the routes and times and realize more people would take the bus if it was easier.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( flpeep ) on May 7, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I wish they would work on the mass transit system around the greater Tampa area. It sucks! If we want Tampa to grow like a big city, we need to put the services in place so we can behave like a big city! Everybody screamed when they discussed light rail several years ago, but just think if they had started building them 3 years ago, where we would be now. I think the elevated expressway is great for me (and all other Brandon residents), but woefully inadequate in serving the community at large! We need expanded bus services all around Hillsborough and Pinellas county and a light rail that will connect the two counties and Orange county! But you know what is going to happen, any time a suggestion like that will come up the planning board (funny oxymoron) will scare the tax payers by threatening increases! And the scary part is because no one knows how to budget in our local government ( budget...government, another funny) it will end up costing the tax payers more than it should. Just look at the elevated expressway fiasco! It's hopeless! I'm buying a horse!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( karrel ) on May 7, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Wow-talk about Nasty. Just so you know, when I packed up and moved in 1990 I made $5 an hour with 4 kids and no child support.
No one person isn't responsible for all the woes but there is a lot more persons than one that live 88 or more miles away from Tampa. So face reality instead of critizing me.
The reason our bus system is crappy is because we don't ride it and therefore pay for improvements. Yes, that is me top, but I have a 3 mile commute to work, even that isn't an excuse though.
I agree that the elevated expressway to Brandon is great - they didn't have that when I lived there. But really, it was getting TO the Crosstown that took so long, not your time on it. Why, because so many of MacDill's officers moved out to Brandon. Maybe if they would have stayed closer to MacDill the improvements that have come to the area would have come sooner. Don't give me that property tax stuff either, it just went up this year. I pay too you know.
I am not from San Francisco, I am from the Bay Area where they have buses that take us to the BART. And if you don't take BART and you live far away you carpool.
But I haven't lived there since 1979, instead I have been in Tampa where I have watched all the builders and developers mow down all the farm land & wild lands to build more new houses and malls. Talk about getting a grip. Rebuild in old areas, leave the land to the birds. You will find out what it is like when we get hit like Biloxi with a hurricane & there is nothing along the coast to save us!
Anyway - what matters is let's get our own sources of fuel, let's stop building like we are, and come on people, you don't need to live so far away. Peace everyone. Even you people who are "meaner" than me. :-}
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( mgwashburn ) on May 7, 2008 at 10:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Karrel,
Thank you, I completely agree with you. I live and work in Pinellas County. I moved here 15 years ago and watched Pasco grow and grow and grow. I even had a bunch of friends move there claiming the was worth it because the homes were about 10-15% less expensive, brand new McMansions and the property taxes were lower. I just didn't get it because every morning I watch the thousands of cars line up heading south from Pasco on U.S. 19 and East Lake Road. They wait and wait and wait through light after light after light to stream into Pinellas where all the jobs are (many of them work in St Pete for Raymond James, Franklin Templeton, Jabil etc.). It takes them about one+ hour each way. The other funny thing is that to keep up with the Joneses, it seems that 50% or more of the vehicles driven from Pasco to Pinellas are either large Pickup Trucks or SUVs.
What were they thinking? So they save a buck or two on taxes and get a newer larger home, just to sacrifice 2+ hours each day in a commute from hell. Their poor kids are growing up without a mom or Dad since they leave at 5:30-6:30 am and don't get home till well after 7pm from work.
Folks, move closer to where you work. Save the farmland for farmers and sell those trucks, SUVs and McMansions (I don't even want to guess what my friends pay for their electric bill for those 4,000+ Sqft homes).
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( BrassBowldotOrg ) on May 8, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
But the question remains; Will you share your ride with anyone? Or do you like the idea of having your own little space so you can listen to the stations that nobody knows you listen to?
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( critic ) on May 8, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
re karrel.?!!! seriously the article was on starting to carpool .. !! Then you said if you live far then you carpool. ! you don't make any sense .You want to blame her for the economy ! And then tell her to do exactly what she was trying to do ??! your a idiot .
Report Inappropriate Comments