Select a region
A free car sharing app, which was originally designed in 2020, is being relaunched this week after the pandemic led to some unexpected delays.
Xavier Rouxel first got the idea for the Triskel Ride app after going to France for a music festival and using BlaBlaCar, a carpooling service.
Having never developed an app – he manages Boatfayre Ltd as a day job – Xavier went to Jersey Business in 2020 and was put in touch with local developer Fred Mayer of Cydisys. The pair also worked with Adapt Design for the graphics of the app.
Car drivers and passengers are able to post on the free app, which is already available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, about the ride they are either offering or looking for, with the date, time and destination of their journey. The alerts will then be available for all users to see and book.
Pictured: The app is available to download now from both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
While the initial version of the app was released two years ago, Xavier explained that it just didn’t feel right to promote ridesharing during the pandemic. However, he now believes that the time is right with many people back working in offices and fuel prices rising over 30% in the last year alone.
Xavier commented: “Most Islanders are struggling with rising costs, but Triskel Ride isn’t just a short-term fix, it has long term gains. If we had less cars on the road during rush hour, we would not only improve air quality, but all get to work faster and more efficiently.”
The additional two years has also allowed Xavier time to make improvements to the app in order to make it “more user-friendly” and “cosmetically tidier”. He is keen to encourage users to ensure they have the most up-to-date version, which allows users can see all available rides and ride requests on the dashboard with just one click.
Pictured: Triskel Ride allows commuters to share travel costs and therefore reduce the number of vehicles on the road during rush hour, and help Jersey attain its net-zero emissions target.
In accordance with Jersey law, drivers can only share costs, not charge for the service and make a profit. Triskel Ride will work out the cost of the journey and the equal share to be paid between all people on board based, making it the only legal car sharing app available in the Island. In addition, users will also be able to donate to Jersey Trees for Life charity in-app.
Users will be able to prove their identity and credentials by logging in via YOTI in order to guarantee more transparency and comfort to the app users, while preventing fake profiles from being created.
While using YOTI will not be compulsory, those who do not use the option will not appear as ‘verified’ on the app. Drivers will need to confirm that they are insured.
In addition, to give more comfort to female drivers and female passengers who wish to travel exclusively with other women, a ‘Ladies only’ option is also available.
Pictured: Triskel Ride also includes a ‘Commuter Repeat’ option to allow users commuting to work to book their seats onboard for the whole week and avoid creating the same booking over and over.
While the need for compulsory pandemic restrictions have been lifted, there will be a section which allows users to select if they would like to offer/receive rides with masks or open windows. Other specific options such as smoking/non-smoking or wheelchair accessibility are also available for users to personalise their experience.
To encourage people to use the app frequently, Triskel also includes an Eco Points collection system, which will give access to rewards offered by local businesses including coffee shops, health coaches, and yoga classes. Xavier is looking for more businesses to come on board to grow the number of rewards available.
Pictured: Users will also be able to keep a record of their environmental impact, with data showing how many vehicles they’ve removed from the road, and how much Co2 has been reduced.
Xavier believes that this app provides a service that is really needed in Jersey. He says: “There are people who, for whatever reason, are unable to use the bus service, and yet their neighbours are making the same journey into and out of town each day and spending hundreds of pounds each month on car parking.
“As a sustainable mode of transport, we should try to include ridesharing whenever possible in our everyday routines, whether we use it a couple of times a week or on a more regular basis. If we started sharing rides that would not only improve our environment and our lifestyles, but also cut our costs.”
His main concern is that people won’t be open to the idea, with 40% of commuters driving to work alone in their vehicle every day.
“I’m hoping that people understand that it’s not about making money; it’s about travelling greener,” he explains. “It’s not something that you have to do every day, but if it’s going to work then people really have to be open to changing their mentality around commuting and be willing to try something new.”
Car sharing app aims to make commute greener
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.