Google is experimenting with a new carpooling service, working with its mapping subsidiary Waze in a limited test. The company has confirmed that the service, called RideWith, will launch in Tel Aviv, Israel this week.
While the service has similarities to features offered by other ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, the Israel-based media outlet Haaretz
notes it has some major differences. Users will have to download both
the Waze app and the new RideWith app which is only available for people
in the test market.
The number of trips drivers are able to make is limited to two a day, and only from their home neighborhoods to their workplaces. The passenger will pay the driver a nominal fare for the trip, as determined by the distance, and the service is built in such a way that drivers will not be able to transform it into a business, but will only receive compensation for the time and the gas they use to provide transportation for an additional passenger in their car.
The pilot program will be available only in Tel Aviv, Ra'anana and
Herzliya, but could expand to other cities in Israel if it is
successful. There's no word yet if Google plans to offer RideWith in
other parts of the world
.
Source: Haaretz
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