Bla Bla Car: 8 advantages and disadvantages of traveling with this system

A start-up that allows us to travel by sharing a car with other users.

The global economic crisis that we have suffered since 2008, has made wonderful minds and entrepreneurs develop innovative production systems to date. Bla Bla Car is no exception. 

This revolutionary start-up has today millions of users consuming its extensive transportation network all over Europe.

Bla Bla Car was founded in 2008 in France by Frédéric Mazzella, Francis Nappez and Nicolas Brusson. The main idea was to share the private transport vehicle for short distances, such as a student going to college by car who decides to invite other travelers in exchange for sharing the costs.

Why choose Bla Bla Car?

There are many benefits to using the Bla Bla Car transportation platform. These are not purely economic or cost saving, but also contribute to an altruistic education of society and a more serious care for the environment.

8 advantages of using the service

In this section we list the positive contributions and advantages generated by using Bla Bla Car.

1. Efficiency in energy consumption

During the last century, the major world crises have developed due to the dependence on crude oil all over the world, since even clothing has chemical compounds derived from petroleum, through plastic bags to the use of fuel for cars.

That is why Bla Bla Car reduces gasoline consumption by up to 70 percent, since sharing a vehicle with more than one other car owner can reduce fuel consumption by up to 70 percent.The sharing of a vehicle with other people avoids the use of a second vehicle.

2. Ecology

As in the case of fossil fuel consumption, the less individualistic the use of private vehicles, the more careful we will be with nature as we will emit less CO2 emissions and other toxic fumes.

3. Redistribution of costs

Nowadays, roads have become almost a luxury good, with exorbitant maintenance fees in some cases, especially in countries such as France, Spain or Italy.

With Bla Bla Car we have the opportunity to share these extra and imperative expenses of the road, especially if we make long journeys.especially if we make long journeys, where in some cases additional taxes are paid at customs just for the entry to the foreign country.

4. Non-existent competition for transport companies

Due to the nature of the service, which is purely private, neither the driver nor the owner is remunerated in any way, as this is forbidden by European legislation.thus avoiding unfair competition towards companies in the transport sector.

Let's remember that Bla Bla Car is different from other services such as Cabify or Uber, platforms where they do participate in the legal market and prices are regulated based on competition as the cab or bus service.

5. Security

The Bla Bla Car platform is regulated by European laws that contribute to the protection of both users and owners.. The profiles of both participants are verified through bank accounts, phone records and GPS tracking.

In addition, the company has its own insurance in case of accident and other inconveniences that may arise if any of the parties is affected.

6. Transparency

All information regarding the Bla Bla Car transportation service is publicly disclosed.where users share their experiences on social networks, rate drivers and recommend (or not) their use.

7. A way to socialize

A road trip can be a very monotonous and desolate experience if it is done individually.. On the other hand, sharing the experience of traveling on the road with people, even if they are strangers, represents an added value to the product. As the user's profile is certified, it is quite convenient to choose the company we want to invite.

8. Collaborative economy

Bla Bla Car arose from the need, like any innovation. This has given rise to a new economic model based on altruism, trust and solidarity. It is extremely difficult to convince the private user to share his or her belongings, but thanks to initiatives it is the collective that is the ultimate beneficiary.

8 disadvantages to take into account

As with everything in life, every activity has its shortcomings and points of conflict. The eight most talked about and most controversial are the following.

1. Wrong company

Even the most philanthropic and charitable idea has its most unexpected drawbacks.. One of them is that although the profile may seem compatible with our own, in reality we may find ourselves with an uncomfortable traveling companion. And this is a Pain if the trip is of long duration.

2. Time incompatibility

Although Bla Bla Car has a wide network of vehicles at its disposal, users often complain about the lack of compatibility with the desired timetable.. In many cases consumers are conditioned by this lack of compatibility and choose to refuse the service definitively.

3. Method of payment

Bla Bla Car started with a very traditional payment system, cash to be paid directly to the driver on the day of the trip. There are opinions for all tastes, but none of them leaves anyone indifferent. Many users do not own the plastic currency and some drivers prefer to pay in cash..

4. Communication between driver and passenger

For many occasional Bla Bla Car travelers, being able to communicate directly with the driver they are going to have is a trust value, but the platform does not allow this function until the moment of payment..

5. Driver rejection

This is perhaps one of the most acclaimed drawbacks by all users. In some cases, drivers do not confirm the reservation of the service until the day of the trip, and in other cases, they reject the reservation. and, on other occasions, they refuse to provide the service for unknown reasons. This undermines confidence and generates doubts for potential customers.

6. Abuse of the application

The main idea of Bla Bla Car is to develop a source of sustainable and collaborative economy, but but more and more user-owners are using the platform in a lucrative and, in some exceptional and, in some exceptional cases, in a reportable manner.

7. Fragile security

In no case is the transport company responsible for the veracity of the data of many profiles, especially in terms of the security of the data.The company is not responsible for the veracity of the data of many profiles, especially regarding the driver, who is the key element of the service. Even if the file is approved, Bla Bla Car cannot ensure that the driver is a responsible entity at the wheel.

8. 10% commission

Recently, Bla Bla Car announced an increase in the price of the service, with a taxable base of 10% on the final cost of each trip, and not for the total service provided.and not for the total service, which in some cases is a round trip. Users reject the measure already approved and warn of the clientelism that this may generate, renouncing the basic principle on which it was founded.