Carpool

Transportation Programs

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Carpool FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about carpooling that can help make your experience easy and enjoyable:

How much does it cost? 
If the driving is rotated equally, no money needs to change hands. If you do not drive, you can pitch in for expenses.

How much will I save by carpooling?  
Taking into account gas, upkeep, repairs, and parking, you can save $4,000 or more a year by carpooling. Visit this online calculator for a more detailed comparison of costs between solo and carpool driving.

Who does the driving?    
In most carpools, each person takes turns driving his/her own car. Some carpools have one person who drives every day. This is a question you and your fellow carpoolers will want to address right away.

Do I have to carpool every day?           
No. You can carpool anywhere from one day a week to every day - as often as your schedule permits.

What if I don't have a car?          
No problem. You can join a carpool that doesn't need a driver and pay your share of the gas and parking expenses. When you use the 511 RideMatch Service you can specify your preference to join a carpool as a passenger only.

What if I have an emergency and have to leave work/school early and I carpooled with someone else that day?         
It’s easy- people registered with the 511 RideMatch Service are eligible for a free Emergency Ride Home (ERH).  After you register with 511, you will receive an email containing a link to register with ERH.  Once you register, you will receive two vouchers for a free cab ride home in the case of an unplanned emergency. 

How do I avoid carpooling with unsafe drivers and/or people who make me uncomfortable?           
After you receive your matchlist, e-mail and/or call your possible carpool partners to begin the process of getting to know them. Try meeting in a public place before starting to carpool, and discuss driving safety. If needed, request contact information for personal references, and make sure to exchange emergency contact and any necessary medical information prior to starting the carpool. Don’t travel with someone you don’t trust. There are plenty of other possible matches available for you.

Program Contact

Piet Canin

Vice President, Transportation Group
Phone: 831-515-1327
Email

 

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