Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using RideAlong's services, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of these terms, you may not access the service.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and RideAlong. We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time, and continued use of our service constitutes acceptance of any changes.

2. Eligibility

Student Verification Required

RideAlong is exclusively available to currently enrolled college and university students. To use our service, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Possess a valid .edu email address from an accredited institution
• Be currently enrolled as a student
• Provide valid government-issued identification
• Complete our verification process

Additional Requirements for Drivers

To offer rides on RideAlong, you must additionally:

• Possess a valid driver's license
• Have access to a properly registered and insured vehicle
• Comply with all local driving laws and regulations

3. Service Description

RideAlong is a cost-sharing platform that connects students who need transportation with students who have vehicles. Our service facilitates:

• Matching passengers with drivers traveling similar routes
• Fair cost-sharing calculations based on distance and fuel costs
• Secure payment processing between users
• Safety features including user verification and rating systems

4. User Responsibilities

General Conduct

All users must:

• Provide accurate and truthful information
• Treat all other users with respect and courtesy
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• Report any inappropriate behavior or safety concerns

Driver Responsibilities

Drivers must additionally:

• Maintain a valid driver's license and vehicle registration
• Ensure their vehicle is safe and roadworthy
• Drive safely and follow all traffic laws
• Be punctual and communicate effectively with passengers

Passenger Responsibilities

Passengers must:

• Be punctual and respect agreed-upon pickup times
• Pay the agreed-upon cost share promptly
• Follow reasonable requests from the driver
• Report any safety concerns immediately

5. Payment Terms

RideAlong facilitates cost-sharing between users. Payment terms include:

• Cost calculations are based on distance, fuel costs, and vehicle wear
• Payments are processed securely through our platform
• Service fees may apply to cover platform maintenance and development
• Refunds are available in accordance with our refund policy

6. Safety and Privacy

Safety Measures

We implement various safety features including:

• Student verification for all users
• User rating and review systems
• Emergency contact features

Privacy Protection

Your privacy is important to us. We:

• Collect only necessary information for service provision
• Protect your data with industry-standard security measures
• Do not sell your personal information to third parties
• Allow you to control your privacy settings

7. Prohibited Conduct

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited:

• Harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior
• Providing false or misleading information
• Using the service for illegal activities
• Attempting to circumvent safety measures
• Violating the rights of other users

8. Liability and Disclaimers

RideAlong is a platform that facilitates connections between users. Please note:

• We do not provide transportation services directly
• Users participate in ride-sharing at their own risk
• We are not liable for accidents or incidents during rides
• Users should maintain appropriate insurance coverage

9. Intellectual Property

The RideAlong platform, including all content, features, and functionality, is owned by RideAlong and protected by intellectual property laws. Users may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute our content without permission
• Use our trademarks or branding without authorization
• Reverse engineer or attempt to extract source code

10. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate user accounts for:

• Violation of these Terms of Service
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Safety concerns or inappropriate behavior
• Failure to maintain student eligibility

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which RideAlong operates. Any disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with applicable arbitration rules.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at: