Ride share app takes the mission out of travel
Long bus trips, thumbing a ride and posting on social media for a lift could be a thing of the past if a rideshare app gains traction. Mish launched last week, connecting riders and drivers going in the same direction.
It was inspired by a similar app used by Christchurch Mish founders Amelia and Matt Barrish while living and travelling in Europe.
“In France, we’d be in a carload of five people, and none of them spoke English. It was the funniest thing to communicate,” Amelia said.
“It makes those travel experiences more memorable, and if they do manage to speak a bit of English, you can find out some good local tips.”
Mish allows drivers and riders to register, connecting when and where the time is right.
The couple travelled around New Zealand often, but Amelia said they were not always going to the same place at the same time.
Amelia might get off work early to go to a wedding, meanwhile, Matt is stuck at work.
“If he could jump on a Mish and come and meet me – there’s so many circumstances where it would be so handy.”
The app gives riders more flexibility and affordability than public transport.
Once a booking is confirmed, the pair can message through the app and arrange a different time or pick up point. “You don’t have to be tied to train or bus departure times,” she said.
They didn’t see Mish as a competitor to Uber.
“Mish is more for long distance. The drivers are heading in the direction anyway, if they have spare seats. Why not make some money and friends even.”
The driver sets the price for their spare seat and the charge is capped, with drivers unable to be reimbursed more than 73c per kilometre.
Drivers did not need a special licence because they were not making a profit, just “covering costs”, she said.
To meet requirements for the app, drivers have their licence, registration and warrant of fitness checked, “then they’re good to go”. “They might charge $30 to go to Hanmer from Christchurch, or $50 from Queenstown. The driver gets the full amount, and the passenger pays a service fee for using the app.”
Amelia said the app was aimed at people who “love a yarn”.
Unlike hitching a ride from the side of the road from a stranger, there was an “element of safety” with the app. “You know who’s getting in your car, and the hitch-hiker feels safer too, they know who’s picking them up.”
Mish got its name from the word ‘mission’, but it meant more than just “going on a mish”, Amelia said.
“Life is such a mish right now with the cost of living, so Mish can help with that.”
The app has plenty of riders who have signed up keen to hitch a ride, and Amelia said more drivers were needed to meet that demand.
“You’re going that way anyway, you may as well sell your seats.”
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“Mish is more for long distance. The drivers are heading in the direction anyway, if they have spare seats. Why not make some money and friends even.”
Amelia Barrish
Mish co-founder