Carpool
Carpooling saves money, extends the life of your car and reduces climate and air pollution. It's also a chance to relax or have a good conversation. If you have a regular schedule and a medium to long commute, check out joining a carpool!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
Carpooling is an easy way to drive less. Since transportation is the largest area of impact for most people, this is a big opportunity to make a difference. Here are some of the many benefits:
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Get to work faster by using the carpool lanes
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Reduce stress with time to relax, connect with others, or catch up on email
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Get kids to school, soccer practice, study sessions, and other after-school activities
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Save money on fuel and vehicle maintenance
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Reduce air and climate pollution
If you have a regular schedule and to a place others also share, like a regular work schedule, workout schedule or school schedule, it is easier to carpool. Think about your regular schedule and see where you could organize or join a carpool!
1Find someone to ride with
There are a few carpool apps like Waze Carpool, Scoop to help find people to carpool with and Carpool-Kids to help arrange carpools with kids.
2Coordinate schedule and pick-up location
Once you find someone to carpool with, work out the details.
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Decide what days to carpool and who will drive. You can switch off driving or have one driver.
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Decide where to meet. Consider whether you are comfortable with the others knowing where you live or if you prefer to meet in a neutral location. Some places have a park and ride pickup area or you can meet on a corner near your house.
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Establish a time for each pickup. When there are multiple people involved, this can get complicated so make sure to write it down and all agree!
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Decide how to split the cost. You could alternate driving or passengers could chip in for gas. Not all cars use gas equally, so figure out something that is fair.
3Establish expectations and have a backup plan
Establish expectations. Discuss a few things beforehand to avoid discomfort or disagreements down the line.
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How long will you wait for someone who is running late?
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Is eating or drinking allowed in the car? Would everyone like to stop for coffee?
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Is music ok and if so what kind?
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Is smoking allowed? Is perfume/cologne allowed?
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Is talking on cell phones ok?
If you are carpooling with kids, make sure they know what your expectations are, and what the consequences are. Some examples:
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If anybody screams, I stop the car
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If anybody hits, kicks or bites somebody, I stop the car and the consequence is...
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No name calling
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No eating in the car
Have a backup plan. People get sick. Life happens. You’re depending on each other, so make sure to have a backup plan!
Relax and enjoy the ride! Bring a book, catch up on emails or enjoy a good conversation. You're reducing climate and air pollution and making a difference!