Modeling ride requests and altruism in a socially connected dock-less vehicle sharing system

•We propose a dock-less vehicle sharing system with partial property sharing via a ride request mechanism.•We model user travel choice in using such systems as a utility-based discrete–continuous optimization problem.•We model altruistic behavior and social welfare of users’ route alterations as a function of social distance between users.•We propose to shorten the social distance between users by implementing elements of social networks (e.g. profile sharing).•The study demonstrates the effect of increased altruism and preferences sharing on users’ joint outcomes.•We supported theoretical model with computer simulation. Dock-less vehicle sharing systems have become a norm in cities in recent years. However, a user often cannot find a vehicle near her location. In this study, we analyze the role of users’ route alteration on system performance, and whether altruism and expectation of performance improvement may change the way people use those systems. Since some transparency of other users’ preferences are needed in order for meaningful alternate routes, we propose to use a ride request mechanism. We argue that if implemented, this mechanism would result in a higher joint utility of users. We tested the model with computer simulations which supported the concept of improving joint utility by altruistic route alteration in random settings.