overview

commute options

commuting tips

carpool and vanpool FAQ's

park-n-ride lots

1. What is ridesharing and why should I do this?

Sharing a ride with other commuters - either in a carpool, vanpool, bus or train, is known as ridesharing. The benefits of ridesharing are many, including: reduced commuting costs, reduced wear and tear on your vehicle, a less stressful commute and helping your community by reducing both traffic congestion and the negative environmental impacts of driving.

2. What is carpooling?

Two or more commuters sharing a ride in a car constitutes a carpool. A carpooling arrangement is both simple to set up and very flexible. You don't have to carpool every day - you can carpool as often as your schedule allows. To join a carpool, fill out our ridematching form today!

3. How does carpooling work?

Carpools are based on sharing commute expenses. Carpoolers may either use one car and share expenses or rotate vehicle use and eliminate the need for money to change hands. To join a carpool, fill out our ridematching form today!

4. What is vanpooling?

A vanpool is a group of 7-15 commuters just like you who want to save money, reduce stress and help preserve the environment by sharing a ride to work in a van. The van is owned or leased by a vanpooler, an employer, or contracted on a month to month basis from a third-party vanpool provider. One member of the van group volunteers to drive and riders share the cost of operating the vanpool. The driver rides free (in most cases) and has personal use of the van during the evenings and on weekends. The rest of the group pays a low monthly fare. Plus as a vanpooler, you receive personalized customer support from MetroPool. Fill out our ridematching form to find the right vanpool today!

5. How does vanpooling work?

Vanpooling is the least expensive way of commuting when you travel long distances (at least 30 miles round-trip). Vanpooling is a relaxing, enjoyable and "environmentally friendly" way to commute!

For more information on the different types of vanpool arrangements, please Contact Us.

6. Are there any carpools or vanpools coming from my area?

When you enter the MetroPool ride matching system, you will be included in a database with thousands of other commuters interested in carpooling. You will receive a matchlist with the names and phone numbers of those commuters with whom you are matched (home addresses are never included on the matchlists and home phone numbers may also be excluded, as well). Today, commuters travel very far distances to work so don't think you are alone; there may be others in your shoes!

7. How can I find a carpool?

To find a carpool, complete the ridematch form or phone us at 1-800-FIND-RIDE.

8. How can I join a vanpool?

To find a vanpool, complete the ridematch form or phone us at 1-800-FIND-RIDE. We will match you to an existing vanpool, if available.

9. Could anyone possibly have a schedule like mine?

Those with irregular schedules are better candidates for carpooling than vanpooling. Even if there is just one day a week where you work more "regular" hours, you could arrange a carpool for that particular day. More people are working flexible hours; you never know if there may be someone in a situation similar to your own.

10. What if...

1. You need your car during the day?
   
   Be the designated driver of your carpool and drive your car every day. Share the expenses with your rider(s).
   
2. You take your child to daycare?
   
   Try making the daycare center the meeting place for your carpool. Or, meet at a centralized location, such as a Park and Ride lot.
   
3. You get into an uncomfortable carpool situation?
   
   Establish rules before you carpool and avoid problems in the long run. You can even carpool on a trial basis before making a commitment.
   
4. You need your car for personal appointments or errands?
   
   Plan these activities on specific days and rideshare the rest of the time.
   
5. You need to leave work quickly, due to an emergency at home, school, etc.?
   
   Check with your employer to see if a Guaranteed Ride Program exists for regular ridesharers. For more information on this type of program contact MetroPool at 1-800-FIND-RIDE.