Ten Tips For Successful Carpooling It's a smart idea!

 

 

Have you ever considered carpooling to work? With the high cost of gas, it's an idea that could save money, as well as help our environment and reduce traffic congestion. Carpooling is really just sharing a ride with somebody else, but once in a while, misunderstandings develop. To save your friendships, you may want to consider the following suggestions.

• Determine your route and schedule. Establish the morning pickup point(s) and designate a place(s) to meet for the trip home.
• Draw up a schedule for driving responsibilities. If all members of your carpool alternate driving, decide among yourselves if you want to alternate on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
• Establish a method for reimbursing driving expenses. If all members of your carpool do not share the driving equally, come to an understanding of how to share the costs and agree on payment dates.
• Be prompt. Decide how long the driver will wait for riders. If people are picked up at their homes, do not disturb everyone in the neighborhood by honking if a rider is running a few minutes late.
• Establish policies. Smoking or nonsmoking; music and volume; cell phone use,  food and drinks. Your carpool will have a better chance of success if everyone discusses possible irritants in advance.
• If it carpooling is for commuting to and from work, do not let it become a shopping or errand service.
• Establish a chain of communication. If a driver will not be going to work one day, an alternate driver should be notified to ensure that other members of the carpool will have a ride. If a member will not be riding, the driver must be contacted as soon as possible.
• Drive carefully and keep the vehicle in good repair. This includes keeping the vehicle clean and safe. There is no excuse for excessive speed, use of alcohol or reckless maneuvers.
• Respect your fellow carpoolers, especially in the morning when some people like a time of quiet.
• Keep a network open so that you can fill empty slots in your carpool if someone needs to leave the group.

Tips adapted from commuterpage.com, a carpooling service in Arlington, Virginia.