The RideTech of Being Car Free

Call me crazy, but I’ve been without a car since 2012. And quite frankly it’s not adversely impacted my lifestyle one iota.
Yep, left it with the ex after my divorce since we were a one-car family. Been using alternative transportation options ever since.
Fortunately I was in Denver at the time when this transition occurred. The “Mile High City” as it’s affectionately known is one of the best for other finding alternative ways to get around. The city has in my view stellar public transportation services, including regional transit options to cities like Vail, Boulder, Colorado Springs and Ft. Collins. The urban core of Denver has insanely high walk scores for those relying on foot power, as well as decent bike options.
Sure there is the convenience factor of having car at one’s beckoning call. But we often lose site of the hassles associated with it. Like the fact that a car depreciates in value once it roll off the sales lot. And those not-so-cheap car payments, along with insurance, annual car registration and maintenance costs.
Also, let’s not forget the fact that most cars sit idle 95 percent of the time. How’s that for a negative return on investment?
I’m not going to lie though. Living in Las Vegas, my new place of residence has been a bit more of a challenge in terms of getting around. Public transportation is in its infancy. And while Uber and Lyft are immensely popular, they are not inexpensive.
Enter The RideTech Revolution
Thinking long term about the intersection between transit and technology and the growing number of options it will produce gets me excited. I started writing about this movement back in 2014 as a journalist focusing on feature stories about cities. Today we’re seeing all sorts of cool advancements in this space. Here are three that I came across just the other day in planning a trip to Southern California.
Luxxpress — A friend of mine in Las Vegas mentioned this to me. It’s a luxury ride service from Vegas to Los Angeles and Anaheim… and back. You are transported in a Mercedes Sprinter at a cost of $59.00 one way. Can’t beat that.
Tesloop- Get a load of this! Another private ride service, this time using Tesla’s. There are convenient stops dotted throughout Southern California. The vehicles all reputedly have comfy pillows, headphones, WiFi, and device chargers. I’ll get you the scoop after my experience with the service later this summer.
RideCabin — This was a stunner. A surprisingly spacious and comfortable mobile home like service with transportation between southern and northern California. It has individual, soundproof sleeping units for all of the guest, kinda like a moving hotel. Wowza!
Transportation freedom at its best. I’m excited to see where this new wave of mobility options takes us.
