Liftsharing

I’m wondering if any of you are members of Liftshare and whether in my situation it is worth joining.

We’re being urged to do so by the Community Trust as a current scheme in the south of the island (one that’s worked well) is getting too big to handle. The aim is obviously to extend the sharing of vehicles and, with public transport erratic or non-existent, it makes good sense.

As many of my trips on island are taken at short notice, I can’t see this being much use. My trips off island tend to be to places where either I’d have to depart off my route to drop a passenger off where they can finish/continue their journey, thereby adding to journey times and mileage, or else the car’s full of equipment plus dog or someone who’s going to the same event. However, quite often I want to leave early to allow shopping time on the way home for example and I’ve known this not to be to my passenger’s liking!

I’d obviously check with my insurer’s before joining, if I felt it worthwhile, but I have a number of queries as, thinking more about local journeys, does the passenger have to provide the appropriate size child seat if a child is going with them and how do I know if it is the right seat – as driver, I would be responsible.

Also, how squeaky clean does your car have to be – mine’s usually muddy or dusty and may have had damp tent or dog (or even a sheep) in it and not been able to clean it out properly – no garage.

With my current situation, I don’t feel it’s really an option for me but if anyone has comments, they’d be appreciated.