Google is going after Uber with new RideWith pilot

Google’s interest in the auto market runs deep these days. Not only is it cruising around in its own self-driving cars, but its Android Auto initiative is trying to power those still driven by human masters.

Now the company is apparently going after Uber by unveiling RideWith, a new carpooling service it is trialling in Israel through the Waze traffic app it purchased in 2013.

Just like the UberPool service, Google is hoping to encourage to take similar journey’s together in the same car. In this case it’s less reliant on two people taking a ride with a separate driver, but more on one commuter allowing another to hitch a ride.

Those taking RideWith cars will only pay the driver for gas and car wear and tear, effectively splitting the cost of the journey. Either party can agree or disagree with the estimate based on the mileage before the car sets off.

“Riders pitch-in on the cost of gas and wear and tear on a vehicle by reimbursing the driver via the app when the ride is complete,” Waze wrote in a blog post on Monday.

“RideWith will calculate the cost of gas and depreciation based on route mileage and suggest an amount. The driver can then accept or decline the ride and rate.”

RideWith, which is an Android-only pilot in the Gush Dan district, is only available to use during rush hour.

Related: Google’s driverless Uber rival: Why is makes sense

Waze says it hopes to reduce the stress and hassle of arranging carpooling with the service that is geared towards combating issues like parking stress, fuel emissions and congestion.

“With deep local traffic insight and a large, passionate community,” the company adds, “Waze has developed RideWith to serve Israeli commuters at their greatest time of need: rush hour. We hope to learn a lot from this pilot and will let you know how it goes.”