Sharing a Car to Share Costs. Or Not?
Theoretically, carpooling is a simple way to reduce fuel costs, decrease the number of vehicles on the road, and make a concrete gesture for the planet. However, in Tunisia, this practice has become a real headache, mentally, logistically, and financially, for many.
A Need Born Out of the Void Left by Public Transport
In some regions, missing a bus can mean losing hours. A bus meant to carry thirty passengers often transports more than double that number, with passengers clinging to the doors, one foot on the step, and the other in mid-air. Between overcrowded buses, delayed trains, and expensive taxis, carpooling has become a solution... or rather, a last resort.
It has become a source of stress. Some drivers, instead of sharing fuel costs fairly, impose prices that exceed the simple cost-sharing. Prices vary from 5 to 8 dinars per day, sometimes more. For one person, this can quickly add up to 160 TND per month for a daily round trip, a significant burden on middle-class budgets.
When the Balance of Power Takes Hold
Those who "offer" these rides eventually turn carpooling into a profitable parallel activity. Some refuse to leave until the car is full. Result: employees and students wait an extra hour in front of their workplace, often without an alternative. "If you don't like it, there are ten others who will take your place," the driver might say. And beware of anyone who is five minutes late in the morning: the tone quickly becomes toxic.
Not to mention the risks: most "offers" are negotiated on Facebook groups, where you often come across locked or anonymous profiles. So, you don't really know who you're dealing with. It could be a malicious stranger or a psychopath. Who knows!
Why the State Must Regulate
Everywhere in the world, carpooling has been structured thanks to clear regulations: official platforms, transparent prices, and security guarantees for passengers. In Tunisia, no regulation defines who can offer carpooling, at what price, or under what conditions.
It is urgent to establish a legal framework. This could involve a regulated maximum tariff, clear criteria (insured vehicle, verified driver), and even tax incentives to encourage virtuous carpooling practices.
How It Works Elsewhere?
In France, BlaBlaCar is the emblematic example: a platform regulated by law that verifies members' identities and prohibits profit-making – the driver can only share costs, not earn money (source: Ministry of Ecological Transition).
In Germany, carpooling is supported by incentive policies, such as reserved lanes for cars with multiple passengers. The government invests in park-and-ride facilities and meeting points.
In South Africa, startups like GoCarShare or Jozibear have been inspired by European models. However, initiatives are still young and often hindered by the lack of dedicated public policy.
In Morocco, carpooling remains marginal, but the government encourages shared mobility as part of its climate plan.
A Practice to Save... by Organizing It
Carpooling is far from being a bad idea. Well-structured, it could genuinely alleviate Tunisian households' budgets, reduce urban congestion, and contribute to the fight against pollution. But without clear rules, it remains a parallel system that benefits a few at the expense of the many.
