M E T R O * P O O L FAQ'S

F r e q u e n t l y a s k e d Q u e s t i o n s

1. What is ridesharing and why should I do this?
2. What is carpooling?
3. How does carpooling work?
4. What is vanpooling?
5. How does vanpooling work?
6. Are there any carpools or vanpools coming from my area?
7. Could anyone possibly have a schedule like mine?
8. What if...

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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 more stress free 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.

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.

4. What is vanpooling?

A vanpool is a group of five to fifteen commuters who ride to work together each day. Vanpools are generally more structured and formalized in their organization than carpools, due to the cost of operating and insuring the van.

5. How does vanpooling work?

Vanpools, like carpools, are based on sharing commute expenses. Generally, one member of the group volunteers to drive, and riders share the cost of operating the vanpool. Vanpooling is often the most cost effective means of commuting. It is particularly beneficial for commuters who travel over 20 miles round trip daily. For more information on the different types of vanpool arrangements, call MetroPool at 1-800-FIND RIDE.

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

When you complete a MetroPool ridematching form, 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 just because you commute a million miles to work; there may be others in your shoes!

7. 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.

8. What if...

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).

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.

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.

You need your car for personal appointments or errands?
Plan these activities on specific days and rideshare the rest of the time.

You need to leave work quickly, due to an emergency at home, school, etc.?
Check with your employer to see if a Guaranteed Ride Home Program exists for regular ridesharers. For more information on this type of program contact MetroPool at 1-800-FIND RIDE.