FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

What is TripShare?
What are the benefits of TripSharing?
When could I share a trip?

How does TripShare work?
How much does it cost to use TripShare?
How do I top up my account?
How do promo codes or gift certificate codes work?
How do I register to use TripShare?
How does TripShare protect my privacy?
Can I change the trips I've posted?
What's the little number next to people's names?

How do I find a trip to share?
I don't have spare seats – I need a seat! How do I register my request to TripShare?
What sort of things should I ask when I contact a TripShare member?
I'm an international Tripshare member. What do I need to know about traveling in New Zealand?
Help! How do I contact TripShare?

What is TripShare?
TripShare is an online service which connects drivers and passengers. Registering on TripShare is free and allows you to search car trips, boat trips and plane trips and contact the lister to organise your travel plans.

Use TripShare's Search functions to sort trips by travel date, start and end locations and, when you've travelled, you can leave feedback about the trip. Read other people's feedback so you can choose to ride with others who have built up a good reputation.

Drivers may request that passengers pay a portion of the petrol money. TripShare recommends that drivers and passengers work out all financial arrangements with each other before the trip starts.

Searching TripShare and contacting people about their listings is always FREE. You just need to register to get a free TripShare account.

While we are in beta and testing the site, posting a listing is FREE! (Eventually it will cost 50 cents to post a listing, but only if that listing results in a successful agreement to travel with another TripShare member. If no one makes an Agreement to Travel with you, your account will not be debited. But, again, while we are in beta, it's all free.) Get on board with us early and add your free listing now!

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What are the benefits of tripsharing?
TripSharing is a great way to share the costs of fuel or parking, decrease emissions, get to know other people, reduce commuting time by reducing vehicles on the road and by traveling in high occupancy vehicle lanes (where available).

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When could I share a trip?
It's up to you!

There are a million different trips you could share the costs on, such as: getting to work, doing the weekly shop, taking the kids to school, going to the match at the weekend, traveling to a festival, event or show, going to the snow, getting to or coming home from Uni, visiting friends, getting to the airport, or traveling around New Zealand.

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How does TripShare work?
TripShare is an online service which connects drivers and passengers. Registering on TripShare is free and allows you to search trips and contact other members to organise your travel plans.

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How much does it cost to use TripShare?
Searching TripShare and contacting other members about their listings is always FREE. You just need to register to get a free TripShare account. While we are testing adding a new listing is FREE. In the future adding your own listing and successfully completing an agreement to travel through it will debit your account by 50 cents.

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How do I top up my account?
When we finish testing the site and go gold, a positive balance in your account will be required to post a listing. If your account has a zero balance then you will not be able to create a new listing. You can top up your account through our on-line payment system in increments of $10 NZD. (But again, right now we are still testing and everything is free.)

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How do promo codes or gift certificate codes work?
If someone has given you one, you can enter your promo code or gift certificate code here. When we finish testing the site and go gold, you'll then instantly have a positive balance in your account that you can draw against.

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How do I register to use TripShare?
Click here and fill in your details.

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How does TripShare protect my privacy?
TripShare will never sell or give out your information. See our Privacy page and our Terms of Service page.

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Can I change the trips I've posted?
Yes, if your situation changes or your spare seats fill up, you can edit your trip details through My TripShare. Here you can change your personal details, info about trips you're taking or looking for, and see details of recent trips and favourite members.

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What's the little number next to people's names?
That is the number of reviews a member has acquired. Each time you travel using TripShare, come back and rate the driver or the passenger. Did the journey go as planned, was the person nice to deal with, and were they safe? As you build up good reviews, more people will want to travel with you.

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How do I find a trip to share?
You can enter the name of the place you are leaving from or trying to get to (this can also be an event) and our search engine will attempt to match your locations. Then click the "Go" button and see what's available. You can perform a more refined search with the "advanced search" function.

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I don't have spare seats – I need a seat! Can I make a listing as a passenger?
Both passengers and drivers can make listings. Register or log in to TripShare and add a listing with the details of how, where and when you want to travel.

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What sort of things should I ask when I contact a TripShare member?
It's important that you feel safe and happy about traveling. We suggest you ask as many questions as you like. The following are a good place to start, and check out our Safety page for more info.

Potential questions to ask:
What do we do if one of us changes our mind, or our situation changes?

Do you have a full driving licence?

Is the car insured?

Do you have AA cover?

Where exactly will you pick me up from? Where will you drop me off?

What time will you be there? If you are running late, how will you contact me?

How much do you want me to contribute to costs?

Are there other people traveling with us?

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I'm an international TripShare member. What do I need to know about traveling in New Zealand?
We drive on the left. The speed limit in built up areas is 50kmph. On the open road it's generally 100kmph. Drivers and passengers are legally required to wear seat belts.

Check out www.ltsa.govt.nz/roadcode for the New Zealand roadcode.

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Help! I have a question. How do I contact TripShare?
We'd love to hear from you. Please contact us here.

We also have a blog at tripshare.livejournal.com and a LiveJournal community here.

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