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| Carpooling Made Easy - Tips to Get You Started |
Carpooling Made Easy - Tips to Get You Started
With gas prices at the pumps going anywhere but down, carpooling has become a popular money saving alternative to driving alone. In accordance with its mission to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, The Clean Air Campaign, http://www.cleanaircampaign.com, works collaboratively with metro Atlanta employers to encourage carpooling and other clean commute options. Carpooling is the best way to save money and reduce the cost of your commute. Two passengers in the car cuts the cost of your commute in half, while three passengers reduces it even more!
Try this list of carpooling tips and helpful hints provided by 1-87-RIDEFIND, http://www.187ridefind.com, a free online ridematching service for commuters to and from metro Atlanta, and other parts of Georgia. Creating a carpool following these simple examples can save you money at the gas pumps, ease traffic congestion in your area and improve air quality. Take control of your commute and keep those high gas prices at bay.
Get acquainted Meet your potential carpool partners. Plan a face-to-face meeting with them prior to committing to carpool to determine if you are a good match.
Schedule driving responsibilities Decide how many days per week you will carpool and who is going to drive on those days. It may be a good idea to put the schedule in writing and provide a copy to all carpool members.
Determine how driving expenses will be reimbursed If the responsibility of driving is not going to be shared, determine how costs will be shared and agree on payment dates.
Enjoy a surprise free ride Set some ground rules. Decide whether things like smoking, eating and/or drinking will be allowed. Also determine what types of music or which radio stations are acceptable.
Plan ahead - Determine your route and schedule Designate places to meet for both morning and after-work pick-ups. Allow extra time when driving in bad weather.
Be on time Establish a time limit for how long to wait if a member of the carpool is late, and develop a procedure for notification if you are going to be late or will not be going to work.
Have an alternate plan If the driver will not be going to work on his or her designated day, decide on an alternate driver so that the carpool will not be interrupted. Remember to give advance notice of vacation or scheduled overtime as well.
Be courteous and careful Drivers should keep their vehicles clean, in safe condition, maintain a safe speed, and remember that others are in the vehicle.
Find a match Many states, cities and local organizations offer ride matching services to help you get started such as 1-87-RIDEFIND in metro Atlanta and Share the Ride NC in North Carolina. Find one in your area and discover how easy carpooling can be. |
About the Author |
| Ellen Macht is Executive Director of The Clean Air Campaign, a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia's employers, commuters and schools to reduce traffic and improve air quality. For more information call 1-877-CLEANAIR or visit http://www.c |
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