Frequently Asked Questions


Safety
Is Smart Rides safe?

Smart Rides is safer than you think due to many unique features:

1. Driver’s license verification
Drivers can have their driver’s license verified by Smart Rides.

2. Ratings and reviews
Smart Rides cares about their members and encourages them to share their opinions and experiences. Our Rating & Review system is visible to everyone before booking.

3. Profile pictures
Photo identification enables both drivers and passengers to see their carpool buddies before their Smart Ride.

4. Choose your travel buddy
You can customize your travel experience by choosing the gender of your travel buddies. Respecting people’s preferences is a core value of our company.

General
What is Smart Rides?

Smart Rides provides FREE booking referral services to make the most of a planned trip by carpooling. Smart Rides connects drivers and passengers going to the same destination who are willing to share the costs of the ride. This can be in the same city (In-city) or to another one (Intercity). With Smart Rides, it is a win/win for passengers and drivers. Passengers share a ride in a car when they don't own one and provide expense offsets for drivers using their car. Also, there is the added bonus of fewer vehicles on the road and less pollution. Smart Rides is different from other ride sharing companies because you are sharing costs rather than making a profit. Smart Rides currently operates only in Canada.


What is carpooling?

An inexpensive way to get from point A to point B where drivers offer their available car seats to passengers going in the same direction and share the costs of the ride (without making a profit).


I want to become a member of Smart Rides

Sign up for free.
Complete your profile information.
Complete your vehicle information if you want to be a driver.


How old do you need to be to be a member?

18 years old or older.


Who sets the price of a ride?

Drivers determine the asking price. Because there are factors to be taken into account at the time of setting a price, such as the size and model of the vehicle or different itineraries, Smart Rides can only suggest a price.


Is Smart Rides legal?

Yes, Smart Rides and carpooling is legal in Canada Smart Rides complies with provincial regulations in Canada, which allows drivers to share the expenses of driving a vehicle. As long as it is not a profit-making venture but rather offsetting the cost gas, maintenance and insurance expenses, Smart Rides is legal. Legally the maximum seating capacity cannot exceed 10 passengers. Smart Rides limits the numbers of passengers per vehicle to the number of seat belts in the vehicle which complies with the law and also ensures everyone is comfortable in the vehicle.


What about insurance?

Regular car insurance is generally sufficient for carpooling. Having insurance for your car is legally required and passengers are covered by the owner's insurance. Because carpooling is not considered commercial driving, there is no need for additional insurance coverage. However, we suggest all drivers have third party liability insurance of at least $2 million. Note this is not a legal advice.

Drivers
What do I need to know?

Please note drivers are not employees of Smart Rides Intercity Ltd. Drivers do not pay Smart Rides.
Fill in vehicle information.
Offer a ride a few days ahead.
Choose your payments options:
      Gas /Cash/e-Transfer
Choose your preferences
Choose your car equipment
Check your email to see how many passengers you have.
Arrive at the Pick-up point 10 min in advance.
Obtain passenger’s contribution.
Carpool with passengers.
Arrive at the Drop-off point.
Rate and review.
Tell your friends about Smart Rides!

What information do I receive about my passengers?

Find out about your passengers via email.
You will be sent an email with their contact information.
Check your email before leaving.


How do you get your money?

Once you pick up your passengers, they will remit the sharing cost of the ride to you.
They will pay you according to your preferred payment options.
Smart Rides Intercity Ltd. Is not your employer and does not pay you anything.


How to cancel a ride?

You can cancel through the website.
Log in -> manage-> my rides -> cancel ride.
Or,
Log in -> profile-> my rides -> cancel ride.
Please cancel as soon as possible.
Passengers will rate and review accordingly.
Multiple cancellations may lead to a temporary or permanent suspension of your account.


How to choose pick-up and drop-off points?

Use Google places from the “Offer a ride” form.
Smart Rides suggests choosing a well-known location.
Smart Rides suggests choosing a place accessible to public transportation.


How to determine the price per seat?

Keep in mind this is a cost sharing model not profit making.
Determine the total cost of the ride and divide it by number of people in the car.
Smart Rides lets you determine the cost.
Smart Rides is willing to help out by suggesting a price on the “Offer a ride” form.


How can I increase my chances of filling my seats?

A pleasant profile picture.
Use well-known pick-up and drop-off points.
Be punctual.
Ensure your car is clean.
Set a fair price per seat.
Have your driver’s license verified.
Be friendly.
Be accommodating to all.


What do I do if passenger(s) do not come to the pick-up point?

You can contact the passenger.
If the passenger does not come within 5 minutes after the pick-up time, you can leave.
Rate and review accordingly.


What type of driver’s license is allowed?

LEARNERS and other types of restricted driver’s licenses ARE FORBIDDEN.
Accepting the terms and conditions of Smart Rides Intercity Ltd. is acknowledging you have at least a graduated driver license, also known as a GDL licence, or a Class 5 licence or an equivalent.
By accepting the terms and conditions of Smart Rides Intercity Ltd. you assume full responsibility for your driving.

Passengers
What do I need to know?

Arrive at the Pick-up point 10 min in advance.
Comply with the payment options of the driver.
Drivers accept full-responsibility for their driving.
Smart Rides will provide you with the driver’s information 24 hours prior to the departure time.
By accepting the terms and conditions of Smart Rides Intercity Ltd., drivers are acknowledging they hold at least a valid graduated driver licensing, also known as a GDL licence, or a Class 5 license or an equivalent.

Who do I pay?

Intercity:
Our Services are FREE!
Pay the sharing cost of the ride when meeting with the driver in the form stipulated by the driver.
Pay the driver cash or by filling up with gas or by e-Transfer.
Note the driver has indicated the preferred payment option when posting the ride.

In-city:
Our Services are FREE!
Passengers only pay for the sharing cost of the ride when meeting with the driver.
Passengers Pay the driver cash or by filling up with gas or by e-Transfer.
Note the driver decides the preferred payment options when posting the ride.


Do I have to contact my driver before leaving?

You do not need to contact the driver. Smart Rides will provide you with the driver’s information 24 hours prior to the departure time.

How to cancel a ride?

You can cancel through the website.
Please cancel as soon as possible.
Drivers will rate and review accordingly.
Multiple cancellations can lead to a temporary or permanent suspension of your account.
In-City
What does it mean?

Service connecting drivers and passengers going to the same destination and willing to share the costs of a ride that starts and finishes in the same city.

What to know?

You have to sign up to use this service. It’s free!

Is this service free?

Yes, it is FREE!
You only pay for the sharing cost of the ride when meeting with the driver.
Pay to the driver cash or by filling up with gas or by e-Transfer.
Note the driver decides the preferred payment options when posting the ride.
Intercity
What does it mean?

Service connecting drivers and passengers going to the same destination and willing to share the costs of a ride that starts in one city and finishes in another city.

What to know?

You have to sign up to use this service. It’s free!

Is this service free?

Yes! It is free!
Pay the sharing cost of the ride when meeting with the driver.
Pay to the driver cash or by filling up with gas or by e-Transfer.
Note the driver decides on the preferred payment options when posting the ride.
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