My First Experience w/ Rideshare

When you find yourself in a financial pinch and need a ride out of town, consider a rideshare in your area heading towards your destination. I recently took up the courage and text messaged a phone number that had a very detailed advertisement on Kjiji. Kjiji is a website where anyone may create an account to post an item or service they are selling/looking for. Drivers place the cash amount they will take per passenger, total number of passengers that can fit in their vehicle, what route they are taking and if they offer WiFi.

After sending my text of interest, I received a reply immediately requesting how many people need a ride and then confirmed location and time of pick up. If by any reason you require a different pick up from what is listed in their advertisement, such as a home pick up, a driver make charge $10-$20 on top of their asking price.

Since my pick up was nowhere near where I lived, I asked a friend for a ride to the confirmed pickup location. I met up with the driver and another passenger who happened to be the driver’s friend and from there, we began our journey to our destination. 

For a rideshare first timer, one must keep in mind that the drivers are complete strangers along with the other passengers bumping a ride with you. On my first time, the driver was of Indian decent and a very pleasant man as the entire ride we spoke about Indian cuisine and the culture diversity found in Canada. The driver also stated that he and the other passenger met each other doing rideshare and have become good friends from all the ‘road trips’ they have shared. Whenever I find myself in another pinch, I would definitely ask to ride with him again.

Remember that not everyone is outgoing as my first time driver and you must always use precaution when speaking to others and leaving the vehicle for ‘washroom’ breaks. I personally did not leave the vehicle for a washroom break on my own. I waited for the driver to state where we would be stopping next and the entire car got out for a break and bite to eat before hitting the road again.

In conclusion, my first experience with a rideshare was very pleasant, easy and safe. I was sceptical as anyone would be, hitting a ride with a complete stranger, but one must always use your manners, be cautious of your surroundings and use that gut feeling of yours. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably is not.

xo, Jessica

**Disclaimer: this post is about my personal experience of my first rideshare. This post is not of the intention to promote or recommend rideshare. Please use caution always when contacting and interacting with people you do not know. We are taught to never talk with strangers which is probably a good thing, however that’s how you meet friends.