WightRides — Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 30 September 2025

1. About WightRides

WightRides is an online community platform that helps people connect to share genuine travel costs for journeys on the Isle of Wight and nearby routes, including ferry travel coordination. We provide listing, discovery and messaging tools only.

2. Eligibility & Accounts

• You must be at least 18 years old and capable of entering a binding contract.
• You are responsible for the accuracy of your account information and for safeguarding your login credentials.
• We may verify certain details (e.g., email), but verification badges do not guarantee safety, suitability, identity, or legality.

3. Platform Only — Not a Transport Provider

WightRides is not a transport service, taxi, private hire operator, ferry operator, broker, agent, insurer, escrow, or money service business. We do not employ, supervise, or control drivers or passengers. All journeys are private arrangements between users at their own risk.

4. Cost Sharing & Payments

• Rides arranged via WightRides are for genuine cost sharing only (e.g., fuel, tolls, parking, ferry tickets). Drivers must not make a profit or operate as hire-for-reward.
• No cash handling or escrow by WightRides: We do not hold, receive, or transfer funds between users for ride costs. Any exchange of money is directly between users and at their sole risk.
• Users are solely responsible for complying with applicable laws, including any hire/reward restrictions, licensing, vehicle standards, and tax obligations.
• Price indications shown in the app are estimates provided by users; WightRides does not set, collect, or guarantee amounts.
• Disputes about amounts, cancellations, lateness, or no-shows are strictly between users.

5. Ferry Share Specifics

• "Ferry Share" facilitates coordination around ferry crossings (car or foot). WightRides is not affiliated with any ferry operator and does not sell or manage tickets or bookings.
• Users must purchase and manage their own ferry tickets and comply with the operator's terms, safety rules, and timetable changes.
• WightRides has no responsibility for ferry delays, cancellations, capacity limits, pricing, or policy changes.

6. Community Rules & Safety

• Be respectful, lawful, and honest. Do not harass, abuse, discriminate, send spam, or post misleading information.
• Drivers must hold a valid licence, MOT (if applicable), road tax, and insurance that permits the intended use, including any passengers carried. Passengers are responsible for ensuring the driver and vehicle are suitable for them.
• Always comply with the Highway Code and local regulations; do not arrange or undertake a journey if under the influence of alcohol/drugs or otherwise unfit.
• Users are responsible for their own due diligence (e.g., checking profiles/ratings, confirming routes, agreeing costs beforehand).

7. Posting Rides & Requests

• You may only post accurate routes, dates, availability, and cost-share estimates.
• Do not post commercial offers, taxis, PHV, couriers, deliveries, or professional transport services.
• We may remove listings that are outdated, misleading, unsafe, or breach these Terms, and may cancel associated requests.

8. Messaging, Ratings & Reports

• Messaging is provided to coordinate plans. Do not share sensitive data or send payment links you do not trust.
• Ratings and reviews must be fair and based on real experiences. We may moderate for abuse or spam but do not guarantee removal.
• If you encounter concerning behaviour, use the in-app Report tools. Moderation actions are at our discretion.

9. VIP/Subscriptions

• We may offer optional platform features (e.g., VIP boosts or subscriptions). These are digital services that enhance visibility or features within the app; they are not transport services.
• Fees are shown at checkout and may be processed by a payment provider. The provider's terms apply.
• Except where required by law, such digital services are non-refundable once delivered.

10. Third-Party Services

WightRides may link to or interoperate with third-party services (e.g., maps, payments, communications). We do not control and are not responsible for third-party content, terms, privacy practices, availability, or performance.

11. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

• The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We disclaim all warranties (express or implied) including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
• We do not warrant that listings are accurate or that any journey will occur safely, on time, or at all.
• WightRides shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, data, goodwill, personal injury, property damage, or any loss arising from:
  • user conduct or interactions (online or in person);
  • any cash exchange or financial arrangement between users; we do not handle or guarantee payments;
  • vehicles, driving, traffic, road conditions, weather, or compliance with laws;
  • ferry timetables, capacity, pricing, delays, cancellations, or operator policies;
  • downtime, bugs, security incidents, or data loss related to the Platform or third-party services.
• Our total aggregate liability to you for any claim relating to the Platform shall not exceed the greater of (i) £50 or (ii) the amount you paid to WightRides for paid Platform features in the 12 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.
• Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law (e.g., liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or fraud).

12. Indemnity

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless WightRides and its owners, directors, employees, and contractors from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or related to your use of the Platform, your listings, your interactions with other users, any journey you arrange, or your breach of these Terms or laws.

13. Suspension & Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access at any time (with or without notice) where necessary to protect the community, for suspected fraud, safety risks, repeated cancellations/no-shows, policy breaches, or legal reasons. You may stop using the Platform at any time.

14. Intellectual Property

• The Platform, branding, UI, and code are owned by WightRides or its licensors and are protected by IP laws. You may not copy, modify, or reverse-engineer the Platform.
• By posting content (e.g., listings, reviews), you grant WightRides a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, display, and adapt that content to operate and promote the Platform.

15. Privacy

Your use is also governed by our Privacy Policy. You should not share sensitive personal data in public listings or messages.

16. Governing Law & Disputes

These Terms and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with them are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction. Consumers residing elsewhere in the UK may enjoy mandatory consumer protections applicable in their domicile.

17. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified via the Platform. Continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

18. Contact

Questions or legal notices: [email protected]