Ride-sharing Features

1. What is Ride-Sharing?

Ride-sharing allows multiple passengers to share a single ride, reducing costs and environmental impact. It’s a convenient way to split the fare with others while traveling on a similar route.

Benefits of Ride-Sharing:

• Lower Cost: Fares are typically cheaper since the cost is shared between passengers.

• Environmental Impact: Fewer vehicles on the road help reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

• Social Interaction: You may meet new people while sharing the ride with others.

2. How to Request a Shared Ride

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open the App:

• Launch the Okito app on your smartphone.

2. Enter Your Destination:

• Input your pick-up and drop-off locations.

3. Select Ride-Sharing Option:

• After entering your destination, look for the ride-sharing option. This may be labeled as “Shared Ride,” “Carpool,” or “Pool.”

• The app will display estimated fares and pick-up times for both regular and shared rides. Select the ride-sharing option to proceed.

4. Confirm Your Ride:

• Review the ride details, including the estimated time of arrival and fare.

• Confirm the ride by tapping the “Request Ride” button.

5. Wait for a Match:

• The app will look for other passengers nearby who are traveling in the same direction. You may need to wait a few extra minutes for the system to find other riders.

6. Track Your Ride:

• Once matched with a driver, track the driver’s arrival in real-time using the app.

• If other passengers are joining, the app will notify you about any stops along the way.

3. What to Expect During a Shared Ride

Pick-Up Sequence:

• The driver may pick up other passengers along the way, and their pick-up points will be optimized to ensure minimal delays.

Drop-Off Sequence:

• The app determines the most efficient route, which means you may be dropped off after or before other passengers depending on the route.

Minimal Detours:

• The app minimizes detours, ensuring that shared rides do not add significant time to your trip. However, some additional stops are part of the ride-sharing experience.

4. Tips for Using Ride-Sharing Features

a. Be Flexible with Timing:

• Shared rides might take a few extra minutes due to additional pick-ups and drop-offs, so allow for some flexibility in your schedule.

b. Set Your Pick-Up Pin Accurately:

• Ensure your pick-up location is accurate, as this helps the driver navigate quickly to the right spot and avoids confusion when picking up other riders.

c. Communicate via the App:

• Use the in-app messaging feature to communicate with the driver, especially if there’s a delay or if you need to update your location.

d. Respect Fellow Passengers:

• Shared rides are a communal experience, so be respectful and mindful of others in the vehicle. Avoid loud conversations, play music with headphones, and keep personal belongings compact to avoid taking up too much space.

e. Be Ready for Pick-Up:

• Since other passengers are involved, it’s important to be ready at your pick-up location when the driver arrives to avoid delays.

5. Key Features of Ride-Sharing

Real-Time Matching:

• The app matches you with other passengers who are heading in the same direction. This occurs in real-time after you’ve requested the ride.

Fare Splitting:

• The app automatically splits the fare between passengers. You don’t need to coordinate with other riders—the app will handle the distribution based on distance and route.

Route Optimization:

• The app calculates the most efficient route based on the locations of all passengers. The route is continuously updated to reduce detours and ensure timely arrivals.

Tracking and Safety:

• You can track your entire trip in real-time. You’ll know where the driver is at all times, who else is sharing the ride, and how far along you are on the route.

6. Safety Considerations

Ride-sharing services take several steps to ensure the safety of all passengers:

• Driver and Passenger Ratings: After each ride, both drivers and passengers rate each other. Consistently low ratings may lead to deactivation of an account.

• Emergency Features: If you ever feel unsafe during a ride, you can use the in-app emergency button to contact local authorities or report an issue to the ride-hailing service.

• Driver Verification: All drivers undergo thorough background checks and must meet specific qualifications to drive with Okito.

7. When to Avoid Ride-Sharing

Ride-sharing is not ideal for every situation. Here are some cases when you may want to choose a private ride instead:

• Time-Sensitive Trips: If you’re on a tight schedule or need to reach your destination quickly, a shared ride may not be the best option since additional stops could add time.

• With Luggage or Large Items: If you’re traveling with bulky items, it may be difficult to fit everything comfortably into a shared ride, especially if other passengers are involved.

• Traveling in Groups: If you’re traveling with a large group, it might be more cost-effective and convenient to request a private ride.