Four simple steps to carpooling

If the price of gas is making you cringe then you should consider sharing the expense. Start a carpool – it’s easier than you think!

Carpooling simply makes sense; you find a group of people going your way and share the driving plus the cost of the gas.

Don’t restrict your carpool to work either. Consider starting one for grocery shopping, going on vacation and especially for getting the kids to their extra-curricular activities on time.

Step one: Pick your pool
Trans Canada Carpool recommends you choose what kind of carpool works for you:

Designated Driver Carpool: has one driver with one or more passenger who pay a daily, weekly or monthly fare based on expenses such as fuel, maintenance and parking.

Alternating Carpool: Driving and expenses are shared on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. You pay when you drive, when you ride it’s free.

Employer Carpool: Get your company to organize a carpool allowing the use of the company vehicles. Employees pay a fare to offset additional fuel, maintenance and insurance costs. The parking lot can be kept empty for paying customers and your company will look green.

Fleet Car/Vanpool Program: Many municipalities are starting programs where you can get a group to hire a van to drive. Fares are usually based on round trip kilometres and cover the operating expenses of the vehicle. In most instances, the driver is a volunteer member of the group.

Step Two: Advertise your pool
Obviously the best place to start with a poster of flyer in your own neighbourhood or office. But you could also consider your local grocery store, library or chat rooms. Let your friends and coworkers know you are starting a carpool.

You may be surprised with how many offers you receive. Check if your municipality has any kind of Ride Match program. This free service matches people up who want to commute.

Make your flyer easy to read and show a map of where you live. Be sure to include your contact numbers so people can call you. Leave room for everyone to add their name and contact numbers. Be sure to ask if they drive or if they just want to be passengers. This is important since it may determine what type of carpool you create.

Step three: Set the rules
Once you have a few names collected it’s time for a meeting to discuss some basic rules:

Will it always be the same vehicle and same driver? Or will that rotate?

Where and when will be the pick up/drop off locations?

How long will you wait? What about people who are chronically late

How do you handle cancellations due to illness or family emergencies?

How will costs be shared

Will eating, drinking or smoking be allowed?

What kind of music will you play?

Who gets the front seat?

What the level of cleanliness everyone expects?

Are any stop offs or side trips allowed?

Who does the scheduling?

Step four: Arrange the schedule
You’ve got all the problems ironed out and the next thing is the actual schedule. Obviously you want to arrange things for at least a week ahead of time so you can stay organized.

Divide the Ride is a free program originally started to help parents coordinate their children’s activities. But it can easily be adapted to just about any carpool. You create a master car pool list with everyone’s contact numbers and availability listed, the schedule is created and then a notification is sent out to everyone via their cell phone and email. It even has a Conflict Resolution function that helps you locate another car pooler to cover your assignment.

Car pool etiquette

Pay up on time. Don’t be a deadbeat and make the others turn into bill collectors.

Don’t be late and make everyone else late.

Keep your focus. Don’t request lots of pit stops to run errands.

Make sure you have a copy of everyone’s contact numbers so if anything changes at the last minute you can let your other members know.

Be properly insured for either being a passenger or having passengers in your car.

Watch the perfume or cologne, especially in the morning.

If you’re skinny take the back seat. You can use the time back there to gloat.

Be flexible with the radio. You can forego your favourite radio show once and awhile.

Shelagh McNally is the editor of Green Living Online. She telecommutes to work.


Tags: carpools, commuting, EVs, fueltag cloud.