BLOG OF iECYCLE

The following statement will hardly draw a gasp of surprise: motor vehicles are the most egregious polluters of our air. The typical mid-size car dumps four and a half metric tons of carbon into the air per year, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.  Over a quarter of greenhouse gases result from motor vehicles, with the majority of offenders cars, SUVs, minivans and pick-up trucks (EPA). If now is not the right time for you to buy a more fuel-efficient car, or if your neighborhood lacks a decent public transit system, you may want to consider joining a carpool.

Carpooling, is, of course, not a new concept, but there are a number of reasons to consider commuting with your neighbor. One of the oldest reasons is to save money. According to a cost calculator offered at Rideshareonline.com, a full-time worker who drives a 2006 Toyota Camry 20 miles to work each day, spending about $3 a gallon, spends about $3,226 a year for his car. If that driver carpooled with one other person, that amount would shrink to about $1,613 a year. If that driver opted to van-pool, or ride a van with six others each day, the amount spent on commuting would be reduced to $651.

Carpooling may also get you to work more quickly. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration reports that 27 U.S. metropolitan areas operate a total of 126 HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes. These lanes often move more quickly, bypassing high traffic congestion areas. Many of these lanes also allow motorcycles and ban oversize vehicles for safety reasons.

Some employers offer incentives to carpoolers. City employees of Fort Worth, Texas who are registered carpoolers get choice parking spaces and an hour of comp time for every five days they carpool. San Francisco’s Department of Parking and Traffic runs carpool and vanpool programs, granting qualified commuters special rates and first pick of choice parking spots in residential areas. Private company Clif Bar, maker of organic energy bars, offers its workers up to $700 a year in rewards for carpooling. Yolo TMA, which addresses air quality and transportation issues, pays its carpooling employees periodic $25 rewards. Employer incentives may even include gas cards.

One of the best ways to start or join a carpool is to ask co-workers or your company’s human resources department. Each U.S. state’s Department of Transportation usually offers a ride matching database. The following websites also provide information on sharing rides. The author’s favorite, erideshare.com, not only includes information on finding or setting up successful a successful carpool, but also offers tips on staying safe.

www.eridheshare.com
www.carpoolworld.com
www.ridesearch.com
www.pickuppal.com
www.zimride.com
www.commuterlink.com (New York city area)
www.ridefinders.org (Missouri, Illinois)
www.commutesmarter.org (Alabama)

The University of Wollongong in Australia was able to take 650 cars off the road in the first two days of the academic year through the University’s carpool program. Think about the possibility of carpool being adapted more widely. Join carpooling and help reduce air pollution, greenhouse gases, traffic congestion in addition to saving money.

Sources:
U.S. Dept of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
Rideshareonline.com
Environmental Defense Fund
talkibie.com
Environmental Protection Agency