Shared transport

There are many forms of Shared transport available in different parts of the world where equipment is used by different people at different times but which are not normally considered to be Public transport. These include bicycle rental, car rental (short term and long term) and taxis (including shared taxis).

Ideally information should be available within the database to both allow shared-transport systems to be presented appropriately on maps, but should also include relevant information to accommodate multi-modal journey planning.

Taxis (including shared taxis such as Jeepney, Grand Taxi)

Main article: Tag:amenity=taxi

There are generally two forms of taxi systems in the world:

• One where the taxi only takes one fare at a time (ie one person books the taxi and that person alone can invite others to travel at the same time). In the UK most taxis are of this sort the the regulations specifically prohibit the driver for organising who travels in the taxi.
• There are shared taxi systems around the world with varying degrees of constraint on their routing and schedules. Some of these can certainly be considered to be public transport, where others don't possibly fit the normal description of that phrase. In the UK there are some special taxi ranks where shared services are possible.

Car rental (including car share/club)

Main article: Tag:amenity=car_rental

There are generally two forms of car rental available at present:

• Traditional car rental where one in general travels to the company, fills in some paperwork and then books a vehicle from the selection available, normally for a minimum of 24 hours. Car rental companies often have desks at airports. It is sometimes possible to book one-way rental, but others require vehicles to be returned to the starting point. There are often restrictions on taking vehicles across national borders.
• Car clubs (car share) where one first joins the operator and any paperwork is done at that time. There is then an online booking system and cars can be booked for one hour or more. Users are issued with an electronic pass that will unlock the door to access the vehicle. Vehicle stations (or pods) are positioned within residential and commercial areas of town with a small number of vehicles in each station. Car stations may be on the road in marked bays or be on off-road locations. Cars often have to be returned to the starting vehicle station.

Bicycle rental

Main article: Bike rental

There are generally two form of bicycle rental available:

• Traditional bike rental will be from a shop or outlet in the town where one can rent a bike for 1 or more days.
• Self-service bike rental from many locations positioned within an urban area. One first needs to collect and pay for an electronic pass card and then one can unlock and use a bike for a short or longer period. Sometimes the first period is free and the cost per hour sometimes increased greatly if the bike is not returned within an acceptable time. Bikes can normally be left at an Bike-station, not necessarily the one where if was taken from.