Life in the car pool lane

With elevated gas prices, many commuters are looking at alternatives to save money.  Some people are opting to downsize their vehicle to a smaller more fuel-efficient car, others are moving to two-wheeled transportation such as motorcycles and scooters, and many other commuters are choosing to forfeit the car and take public transportation.  However, for those who can’t change their means of transportation or don’t have access to public transit, a car pool can be a great way to save money by sharing gas and toll costs, providing driving companionship, and, when you alternate driving, saving wear and tear on your car.

To gauge the impact gasoline prices have had on American motorists, the Consumer Reports National Research Center recently conducted a random, nationwide Auto Pulse survey. Among the findings, drivers have modified their transportation patterns to save money, reporting they have: Walked or bicycled more  (31%), carpooled more (24%), and worked from home (18%). Many more, at 59 percent, said that have driven slower, more smoothly. To save at the pump, combining these elements could significantly lower fuel expenses. While many drivers may not have the flexibility to walk to the office or work from home, driving more smoothly and carpooling are viable options.

What is your PMPG?
There’s a new buzzword that is being used for carpoolers to calculate the fuel savings, called Person or Passenger Miles Per Gallon (PMPG), which determines how many people are in the car compared with the vehicle’s miles per gallon. So, if your vehicle gets 22 mpg, and there are four people in your car pool, your PMPG would be significantly better than driving alone at 22 mpg—though it wouldn’t truly be four times better, as the extra passenger and possibly cargo weight will decrease fuel economy. 

If you decide that a car pool is for you, here are some tips to ensure a successful ride share.

• Establish an efficient route and pickup/drop off times.
• Decide who will drive and how often, setting a daily, weekly or monthly schedule.
• Be on time or decide how long you will wait for a passenger.
• Establish policies such as smoking or non-smoking, music and volume, food and drinks, and cell-phone use.
• Determine the purpose. If the ride share is for commuting purposes, don’t make unscheduled stops or errands.
• Keep your vehicle in good condition by maintaining your car and keeping the interior clean and comfortable.
• Determine the method and frequency of payment for tolls and gasoline up front. Consider alternating driving days to ensure vehicle wear and tear is fair for all.
• Discuss contact methods if a car pooler or driver is sick or on vacation.

There are a number of Web sites that offer ride share programs that match you with others in your area. Some examples are NuRide.com, eRideShare.com, and RideSearch.com. Just Google "car pooling" and you’ll find a number of sites from which to choose.  Also, check with your company’s HR department to find out if they have a car pooling program or company van for employees.

Have you started using a car pool? Share your tips and insights in the comments below.

For more information on saving fuel, see our guide to driving green.

—Liza Barth

Comments

[Cale]

Carpooling would be ideal in offices that have a large workforce where people that work together can arrive and leave a common location. The next best solution may be carpooling with friends.

The stresses of carpooling can be equal to those of commuting on public transit. Not being on schedule and other unexpected delays add stress to workers that are already stressed out.

I work from my home, though my work does require that I meet people out of the office. One of my clients works for a bike company. He rides to the local commuter rail station, takes his bike on the train and then rides from the station to work. In the evening it's just the opposite. But even this very workable solution isn't without sacrifices; the train schedule is such that he leaves at 5:45am every morning for an office that opens at 8.

I hope that employers can keep pace with the real sacrifices and commitment many employees are showing when they take public transportation, ride a bike, or carpool. Equity in the workplace seems unbalanced as it is and companies need to help by being flexible with work hours, offering facilities to secure bikes on premises, and matching the employee's commitment to alternative transportation with a monetary incentive to ease the stress.

[Gareth]

I agree with Cale. Car pooling, in principal is an excellent idea, but supposing you're just about to go out the door at 5pm, with a view of picking up your CP buddy and your boss lands a load of work that needs to be done before tomorrow. Your CP buddy could be waiting in the street whilst you have to deal with explaining you have to go. The companies have to be understanding. It's ok on a nice sunny evening, but in the winter, not such fun.

I think work should have bonuses and perks for people who car share, as in able to leave a bit earlier or get in later, to encourage more people to do it. If there's a company of 100 and 60% share a car you'd get better team spirit, reduced carbon emissions and more people coming in on time. It would be win/win.

[elwellx]

I started carpooling a few weeks ago with a co-worker. We met through our company's employee council and figured out a fairly easy schedule -- I drive us both twice a week, he drives us twice a week and Thursday (when he has cricket practice) we drive seperate cars.

We're lucky to work in a pretty large complex -- lots of offices nearby -- and to have similar and flexible schedules. I think people who rail against carpooling expect it to be just as simple as driving your own car every day. It's not that simple, it does take work, but the rewards are worth the sacrifices.

As the price of gas goes up up up, I'm fairly certain we'll see more people willing to deal with a few inconveniences to save big on fuel costs.

[Jim]

My wife and I started carpooling a few months ago. I drive to the metro rail and then she drives on to work. Then, she drives to the metro rail and I drive home. So, we share the drive and I no longer have to pay for parking.

We also starting working a compressed schedule which is 8 nine hour days, 1 eight hour day and one day off every two weeks. So, we only commute 9 out of 10 days.

[Chuck]

I carpool with a few different people that are very timely. I'm the kind of guy that works late and doesn't always put in for the OT and crpools keep me on schedule and get me home on time which is a good thing. Sometimes I feel the need to go in early, or stay late and to keep the peace my carpool-mates know that if I'm not there on time they can leave me behind, without guilt. That way I get the option of choosing to stay late and get another ride home or drop what I'm doing and be on time.

This is an important point to make clear!

[Manish Chauhan]

Car Pooling service is really helpful in terms of saving time and money that you spend on your car maintenance and parking charges.
It also helps us to make our environment clean as if more people opt car pooling services, less vehicles will run on the roads hence less oil consumption.

[Pier]

I found this web site which can help to find a carpool mate. I tried their search engine to find a carpool from my home to Down Town Montreal and it is very powerful.

I'll try to introduce this program to my employer.

Try it your self !

www.carpoolingnetwork.com

[Carpool]

Carpool is fun. I'm doing it for 2 years now. Also I get to meet new people.