Car share is it fair to ask for a small contribution?

Gin_and_Milk

Hi, I'm in a bit of a dilemma and would like some advice please.
A colleague of mine is moving very near to where I live, in fact I'll be driving past his flat (or very near to), 4 days per week. As he doesn't drive I have a sneaky suspicion that he'll be hoping for a lift to and from work.

Would it be fair to ask for a contribution for fuel, say £10 per week, or am I being tight fisted? It's a ten mile journey each way, so 80 miles per week.

He is registered disabled and doesn't have to pay any travel costs, but he also earns quite a bit more than me. My OH and I have just moved down to one car as we need to save money.

So am I being tight because I wouldn't I have to go out of my way, or fair to ask for the equivalent of £2.50 per day?

HappyMJ

It's fair to ask for a fair amount. Is £10 fair for 80 miles. 25p per mile split between 2 is 12.5p per mile? I'd say £5 is fair.

Gin_and_Milk

The reason I came up with a tenner is because it works out at £1.25 each way. If he had to pay to use public transport, that wouldn't get him anywhere near work; in fact he'd only just get out of the village, and he'd have to set off quite a bit earlier too (and get home about an hour later).

I have a feeling he won't offer me anything but I'm 99% certain that when he chose his flat it will have already been assumed that I will chauffeur him to and from work, which I supposed has annoyed me a little too.

HappyMJ

If he had to use public transport it would be free as you said in your OP. (between 9.30a.m and 11.00pm)

and....a 4 weekly travel card for my area is £49.50 for unlimited travel at any time. You are providing 2 journeys 4 days a week.

Gin_and_Milk

He uses it during peak hours, but I'm sure he's said before that he doesn't pay anything.
I'd hate to be put in a position where I felt I had to ask, but if he refused to pay anything do you think I'm being petty by not giving him a lift?

Gin_and_Milk

Out of curiosity, does your card cover you for bus and train? At the moment, for him to get to work and back involves 2 buses and two trains. When I mentioned he earns quite a bit more than me, he takes home nearly double what I get!

Gin_and_Milk

I can safely say it costs more than a tenner a week, but it isn't so much the amount of money that I'm in a dilemma about, more of whether I'd be a tightwad to ask for some, (or accept it if he offered). To be honest, it's not about the money as such because I like to have the journey there and back to myself, just for a bit of space etc, if you know what I mean.

HappyMJ

Gin_and_Milk wrote: »

Out of curiosity, does your card cover you for bus and train? At the moment, for him to get to work and back involves 2 buses and two trains. When I mentioned he earns quite a bit more than me, he takes home nearly double what I get!

It's an Arriva Midlands 4 Weekly Saver (bought online) it's Arriva buses only throughout the Midlands which is a huge area. http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Network_Maps/Midlands/Midlands_saver_area.pdf

The other bus services we have are midland classic which is £12.00 per week http://www.midlandclassic.com/services/ or Trent Barton which is a maximum of £10 per day https://www.trentbarton.co.uk/bus-information/area-maps or from £1.35 per journey.

Depends which way I'm going as to which is better.

Anyway, his income is irrevelevant. Yes he should contribute but £10 is a bit much for a journey you are making anyway costing you nothing extra.

spiro

If he asks for a regular lift then I dont think it is wrong for you to expect him to pay towards the cost. I would suggest £10 per fortnight as thats about half the petrol cost.

The fact that he is registered disabled should not come into it. If he pulls that card my cold hearted reply would be 'well you get a free bus pass, us that'.

HeadAboveWater

Hmmmm.... A bit cheeky of him if he's assuming you're gonna offer him a lift!

I know if it was me, you'd be doing me a huge favour by lifting and laying me at the front door, saving me loads of hassle and time. I like my family time and public transport can be a nightmare. I would offer to contribute something towards fuel costs, regardless if I could get alternative free travel.

I don't see that £10 a week is unreasonable.

EDIT. Just read your last post. If you like your 'me' time alone in the car, then decline completely if he asks, or say only mornings or evening suit or maybe certain days.

Gin_and_Milk

If I'm in the awkward position where I feel I should ask for a fiver a week and he says no, I don't have to pay anyway, do you think I'm being petty by letting him do so? (Especially as I prefer to drive by myself, lol). If he still uses public transport he's going to be in for a nasty shock as his travelling time will increase by quite a bit!