It's Like Hitchhiking in the Age of Uber: Sidecar Tests Shareable Rides San Francisco-based ride-sharing company Sidecar is running a pilot program where users headed in the same direction can split a fare.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Sharing a ride in a car-sharing ride service may sound painfully meta, but it's also a harbinger of where consumers are willing to go.

Technology that allows us to be constantly in contact in real time combined with consumers shifting away from owning tons of "stuff" have fueled the explosion of the sharing economy. We live in a time where renting a spare bedroom from a stranger -- Airbnb -- is a multi-billion dollar franchise. And we are even willing to rent pants these days.

In this vein, the San Francisco-based Uber competition Sidecar is reportedly testing out a new program where passengers headed in the same direction can split a ride and pay half the fare.

Related: Uber Competitor Sidecar Now Lets Drivers Set Their Own Prices

When users in San Francisco open the Sidecar app, they have an option to select a car with a "shareable rides" icon and if there are nearby passengers looking to head in the same direction, Sidecar will pair you up and share your fee, according to a report in Techcrunch.

Sidecar was not immediately available for comment.

Earlier this year, Sidecar announced a $10 million venture capital raise from Union Square Ventures, the same elite New York City-based investment house that has backed Twitter, Zynga and Tumblr. The ride-sharing app allows users to pick a car based on vehicle type, driver, and price.

Related: Zipcar Founder: Having a Social Mission as No.1 Is Not Enough to Make You a Success

Wavy Line
Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Editor's Pick

A Leader's Most Powerful Tool Is Executive Capital. Here's What It Is — and How to Earn It.
Lock
One Man's Casual Side Hustle Became an International Phenomenon — And It's on Track to See $15 Million in Revenue This Year
Lock
3 Reasons to Keep Posting on LinkedIn, Even If Nobody Is Engaging With You
Why a Strong Chief Financial Officer Is Crucial for Your Franchise — and What to Look for When Hiring One

Related Topics

Business News

7 of the 10 Most Expensive Cities to Live in the U.S. Are in One State

A new report by U.S. News found that San Diego is the most expensive city to live in for 2023-2024, followed by Los Angeles. New York City didn't even rank in the top 10.

Business News

More Americans Are Retiring Abroad, Without a Massive Nest Egg — Here's How They Made the Leap

About 450,000 people received their social security benefits outside the U.S. at the end of 2021, up from 307,000 in 2008, according to the Social Security Administration.

Business News

Goldman Sachs Is Continuing Layoffs, Cutting Free Coffee Perks

The financial giant delivered another hot cup of bad news.

Business News

How to Set Boundaries With Your Team While You're on Vacation

Are you one of those leaders who just can't seem to detach from "work mode" even when you're sitting on a beach in Hawaii? Here's how to ensure both you and your team can thrive when you're on vacation.

Business News

Lululemon Employees Say They Were Fired for Trying to Stop Shoplifters

Two Georgia women say Lululemon fired them without severance for trying to get thieves out of the store.