Band 6+: These days, more and more people prefer to use shared transport such as buses, trams or carsharing applications on their smartphones rather than driving their own cars. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Nowadays availing shared transports such as buses, trams, or carsharing applications on smartphones have become more preferred means of commuting than driving one’s own cars. Although there are several benefits and drawbacks for both, I believe the advantages of using shared public transports on smartphones are higher and far outweigh the disadvantages.

Firstly, sharing public transports through smartphones possess more benefits because they are usually cheaper since there are numerous options for people to choose a transport from. People who do not own a car do not need to depend on expensive transport rides such as Uber. Moreover, due to the increased number of such applications on smartphones, the cost of commuting using such means of transport tends to be less than the ones which are not shared. As a result, it becomes more affordable for people who do not own a car. For example, when an employed person who does not own a car needs urgent transport to reach to a meeting or a student to arrive at his or her examination centres ahead of time, a shared public transport can plays a significant role by saving their time. In case they cannot find their preferable transport, they can always choose the next transport.

Another advantage of using a shared transport application through smartphones is the ease with which one can navigate and discover the best options for their commute. Since smartphones are pervasive and affordable to almost anyone nowadays, it appears to be easier for people to navigate, find, and manage a shared ride using mobile applications as compared to looking for a transport on hot summer days or rainy winter days. Moreover, as one can order a ride from home, they can avoid being outside wasting their valuable time looking for a transport.

In conclusion, using mobile applications to order shared rides such as buses, trams, and cars can be more affordable and easier means of transport than owning a private car for commuting purpose. While both may have their advantages and disadvantages, the merits of affordability and easy-nature of ordering a shared ride make shared transports more preferable among people.