Summary

Most often I tend to build solutions that solves problems that I personally faced. So before we get into the SA Lift Club solution, let me give you the context. That way you have a clear understanding of the problem. This is not a complete context, but ‘some’ context.

My Daily Commute Using Public Transport

In 2019, I landed my first job as a junior electromagnetic software engineer at a company located in Techno Park, Stellenbosch. As a University of Cape Town (UCT) student at the time, my daily commute involved a complex journey of three taxis: Mowbray to Belleville, Belleville to Stellenbosch, and Stellenbosch to Techno Park. This demanding commute cost me approximately R80 for a round trip.

The Draining Nature of Taxis

If you haven’t experienced traveling by taxi, it’s an adventure worth trying, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Taxis can be draining due to several factors:

  1. Frequent Stops - Taxis tend to make numerous stops, even going out of their way to fetch passengers from far-off locations.
  2. Taxi Stories - Occasionally, you come across depressing stories from fellow passengers discussing their problems or conversations overheard on phone calls.
  3. Overcrowding - Although a taxi can accommodate 15 passengers, it is common to find yourself crammed into a taxi with 22 people.
  4. Waiting Time - Sometimes you need to wait for the taxi to fill up if you catch it at the taxi rank.

All these factors culminate in a tiring journey, consuming approximately 2.5 hours one way, leaving you exhausted upon arrival at your destination. I used to leave my house at 06h00 in the morning, to only arrive at work at 08h30. I will leave work at 17h00 and get home at 19h30, sometimes at 20h00.

The Breaking Point

As you can imagine, I reached a breaking point after a year of enduring this commute. One day, while transitioning between the second and final taxi, I was struck by a car. Looking back, I realized that exhaustion had clouded my judgment, and I hadn’t been as vigilant as I should have been. Fortunately, I escaped with only minor injuries and scars.

At that moment, I realized I urgently needed a solution. It’s important to note that this incident occurred before the COVID-19 era when remote work was not widely adopted, and physical office attendance was mandatory. Employers knew nothing about remote work, at least my employer at the time didn’t. I even had a desktop work computer, so I had to go to the office 😆.

Searching for a Solution

Following the accident, my then-girlfriend (now my wife) and I actively sought carpooling or lift club options through various Facebook groups. During our search, we discovered a platform called Find A Lift. This user-friendly platform allowed us to post our commuting details, pickup and drop-off locations, and a brief introduction. I posted my details there, but unfortunately, no one offered me a ride. The scarcity of drivers compared to riders seemed to be the primary challenge. Regrettably, it appears inactive - developed by Daniel Claasse.

Despite not finding a ride through Find A Lift, I continued to visit the platform to see what others were posting. One day, I came across Nonhle’s post. She traveled between Claremont and Stellenbosch University, and her route could be rerouted through my location, Techno Park, and then Stellenbosch University. It was an ideal arrangement. I contacted her, and she agreed to give me a lift.

My First Carpooling Experience

In a nutshell, it was an intense experience.

Before delving into the tension, we had to discuss financial matters. In my Find A Lift post, I stated that I was willing to pay the same amount I was spending on public transport, which was R80 per day for the round trip. This equated to R1600 per month (20 working days, Monday to Friday), and I agreed to pay her weekly (R400) or upon her request. She preferred electronic funds transfers (EFT) over cash and provided me with her account number. Additionally, she expressed that she didn’t want small deposits, so we settled on me EFTing her whenever the balance exceeded R500. We also established some guidelines:

  • She wouldn’t be able to pick me up during her leave days, but she would inform me in advance, allowing me to arrange alternative transportation.

  • Occasionally, due to personal commitments after work, I would have to take a taxi back home, reducing her payment to R40 instead of the usual R80.

Despite these nuances, she proved to be punctual, always arriving on time, and informing me in advance if she couldn’t provide a ride.

Now, let’s address the tension—sitting together for approximately 40 minutes during the 45km journey. It’s a long time to have a conversation, especially for someone like me who isn’t naturally talkative. I made sure to avoid controversial topics such as politics, religion, or anything that could jeopardize our arrangement. I needed to prioritize the success of our carpooling arrangement over voicing my opinions.

As I began writing this article, I initially intended to provide a comprehensive problem statement regarding transportation issues, backed by research and references. However, considering that ChatGPT can provide you with hard facts and well-written information on this topic, I don’t want to waste your time by repeating what is readily available elsewhere.

Taking Matters into My Own Hands

Eventually, my girlfriend convinced me to purchase a car since I was financially capable of doing so. Despite my lack of knowledge about buying a car and the absence of resources like Muzi’s YouTube channel at the time, I leaped. But Muzi would say, “asikhi lapho” (let’s not go there).

Now I drive to work, but here’s the irony— I currently reside in Stellenbosch while working in Cape Town. Those familiar with the traffic on the N2 or N1 into the city know how congested it can get.

What Troubles Me

However, what truly concerns me is observing the countless cars on the road, each with only a single occupant—the driver. I, too, find myself in this situation. Just think about it: an average 1.3-ton vehicle transporting ONLY 80kg piece of meat.

Anyway, I don’t think this is the point where I get into the environmental issues around this. Again, asikho lapho.

Proposed Solution

In summary, I propose the revival of Find A Lift, incorporating several improvements. 

I must confess, this article was initially intended to be a scientific piece written in academic language, outlining the problem statement. 😄 🤣 😂 😆

Conclusion

Commuting challenges are a reality faced by many, and finding sustainable solutions is crucial. The story of my taxing taxi journey and subsequent carpooling experience highlights the need for efficient transportation alternatives. By revamping platforms like Find A Lift and fostering a culture of ride-sharing, we can alleviate the strain on individuals, reduce traffic congestion, and contribute positively to the environment.

In the next article, I will outline the idea of the solution I have around this topic. So join me in this journey where I try and build a carpooling platform in the context of Mzanzi(South Africa).