Carpool
Find a carpool partner who’s right for you! When you register, you get a free list of matches of people who share your commute and they’re interested in carpooling - just like you. Contact your matches through this site to find your preferred carpool partner. You can start by carpooling once a week or every day, you decide with your partner.
Simply register with Share the Ride NC then enter the details of your daily commute. You’ll be matched with potential carpool partners.
If you carpool regularly, you can track your trips in the Commute Calendar, which shows your money savings and beneficial environmental impacts.
Tips to create a successful carpool:
- Decide who will drive on which days. Some carpools rotate driving responsibilities, while others have a dedicated driver. If there are members who wish to alternate driving, decide if you want to alternate on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
- Determine your route and schedule. Establish the morning pick-up point and try to choose a mutually convenient meeting place. Either pick up each carpooler at home or meet in a central location like a Park-and-Ride lot. Designate a place or places to meet for the trip home and stick to your schedule. Make sure everyone knows the schedule and is notified of changes.
- Decide on a method for reimbursing driving expenses. If all members do not share the driving equally, agree how the costs will be shared and agree on payment dates. Decide how long the driver will wait for a passenger (usually no more than 2 or 3 minutes).
- Establish clear in-car policies. Discuss smoking, music taste, and volume, food, and drinks. Make it clear that the carpool is for a single purpose - commuting to and from work or school. Do not let it become a shopping or errand service unless all members agree.
- Establish a chain of communication and it helps to identify one person as the carpool leader.
- If a driver or passenger is ill, the car won't start or other issues arise, there should be an easy and clear arrangement for making adjustments. Make sure everyone has a list with each carpooler's home and work phone numbers, and establish who is to be called when.
- Drive responsibly, wear seat belts and keep the vehicle in good repair. When there are passengers involved, there is no excuse for excessive speed, use of alcohol, or reckless maneuvers.
- Check your insurance policy and make sure all members are aware of it.
- Finally, give the carpool a few weeks to get going - it usually takes a while to work out any "bugs" and to create a truly great carpool. If, despite your best efforts, it isn't working - try again with another carpool.