Zhang Aiqiong, a businesswoman from Nanjing, has to commute one-and-a-half hours by car every day between her downtown home and her office in suburban Jiangning District.

So, after countless trips, which left her feeling bored and tired, she decided to advertise for some company.

"I am looking for a young woman to commute the same route with me, and to share my car. No fee is charged. The only thing I want from her is company along the journey." Zhang posted on the bulletin board of an auto club.

Zhang is not the first person to look for a car-sharer in this way. A lot of people are now doing it; not for money, but simply for a little company while they travel, the Nanjing-based website www.longhoo.net, said.

To provide a communication platform for them, the auto club has set up a special column, which so far has attracted more than 400 registered members.

People on the bulletin board have agreed that car owners should not charge a fee for the free ride, but, in return, the sharer is welcome to offer to pay for a meal or fill the petrol tank from time to time.

Xia Jie, a 25-year-old from Wuhan in Central China, said he shared his car and was hoping to make more friends.

"Due to my heavy work schedule, I have few friends here. By sharing the car, I can expand my social circle and get to know more people," he said.

Currently Xia has three regular passengers, two of whom are female.

"Who knows, maybe my future wife is among them," Xia said.

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