Bla Bla Car: 8 advantages and disadvantages of this system

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

This revolutionary start-up today has millions of users consuming its extensive transport network throughout Europe.

Bla Bla Car was born precisely in 2008 in France, by the hand of Frédéric Mazzella, Francis Nappez and Nicolas Brusson. The main idea was to share the private transport vehicle in short stretches, such as a student who goes to college by car who decides to invite other travelers in exchange for distributing the bills.

Why choose Bla Bla Car?

There are a multitude of benefits to using the Bla Bla Car transport platform. These are not purely economic or cost savings, 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 biggest world crises developed due to the dependence on crude oil throughout the world, since until the clothes have chemical compounds derived from petroleum, passing through plastic bags to the use of fuel for cars.

That's why Bla Bla Car allows you to reduce gasoline consumption by up to 70 percent, since sharing a vehicle with more people avoids the use of a second.

2. Ecology

As in the case of fossil fuel consumption, the less individualistic the use of the private vehicle, the more careful we will be with nature by emitting fewer CO2 emissions and other toxic fumes derived.

3. redistribution of expenses

Today roads have practically become a luxury good, with exorbitant maintenance fees imposed in some cases, especially in countries like France, Spain or Italy.

With Bla Bla Car we are presented with the opportunity to share those extra expenses and imperatives of the road, especially if we make long journeys, where in some cases additional taxes are paid at customs only for the entrance 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 European legislation prohibits this, 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 participate in the legal market and prices are regulated based on competition, such as the taxi service or bus.

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 one of the parties is affected.

6. Transparency

All information regarding the Bla Bla Car transport service is publicly displayed, 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 very monotonous and bleak if done individually. On the other hand, by sharing the experience of traveling on the road with people, even if they are strangers, it represents an added value to the product. Since the user's profile is certified, it is quite convenient to be able to choose the company that we want to invite.

8. sharing economy

Bla Bla Car arose from necessity, like any innovation. In this way, a new economic model based on altruism, trust and solidarity has emerged. It is extremely difficult to convince the private user to share their belongings, but thanks to initiatives, the collective is the final beneficiary.

8 drawbacks to keep in mind

Like everything in this life, every activity has its shortcomings and trouble spots. The eight most commented and that create the most controversy 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 seems compatible with ours, in reality we may find ourselves with an uncomfortable travel companion. And this is an ordeal if the journey is long.

2. time incompatibility

Although Bla Bla Car has a wide network of vehicles available, users often complain about lack of compatibility with desired schedules. On many occasions, consumers are conditioned by this lack and choose to reject the service definitively.

3. Pay mode

Bla Bla Car started with a very traditional payment system, in cash to contribute directly with the driver the same day of the trip. There are opinions for all tastes, but none 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 value of trust, but the platform does not allow this function until the moment of making the payment.

5. Refusal by the driver

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

6. Application abuse

The main idea of ​​Bla Bla Car is to develop a source of sustainable and collaborative economy, but more and more proprietary users use the platform in a lucrative way and, in some exceptional cases, in a reportable manner.

7. fragile security

In no case the transport company is responsible for the veracity of the data of many profiles, especially in regards to the driver, who is the key piece of the service. Although the file is approved, Bla Bla Car cannot ensure that the driver is a responsible entity behind the wheel.

8. 10% commission

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