Employers can help make a difference - cleaner air starts with responsibility
Organize a rideshare
- Begin by posting a newly forming group on your company bulletin board, arranging a kickoff event, or simply e-mail-by-request to see what type of interest there might be at your workplace. (print out sample carpoolers wanted sign here)
- Seek out other opportunities for schedule matching on your cities’ Craigslist and have your employees contact local people individually. Networking and spreading the word will only increase the possibilities of a match.
- Figure out who's going to drive and when. If everyone takes turns driving, decide if you want to alternate on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. If there are more than two of you in your carpool, designate a back-up driver in case someone's unable to drive during their rotation. (Attention drivers: be sure your insurance is up-to-date!) Then, complete a schedule and make sure every member of your carpool gets a copy.
- Next, talk to the people in your carpool to determine where to meet. Decide whether you prefer door-to-door service or meeting at one central location, such as a park-and-ride lot. Establish your morning and evening pick up times. Then plan your route!
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If each person in the carpool takes a turn at driving, then there's no need to
charge. If only one person drives, however, you'll want to charge each rider a
reasonable fare. Here's one way to do it:
Carpool roundtrip mileage X Cost per mile ÷ Number of carpoolers = Daily Fare per Rider
(Operating costs average about 52.2 cents** per mile for gas, oil, maintenance, tires and insurance* - *Source: AAA, "Your Driving Costs," 2007 edition.)
You may also want to include any parking costs you might have.
- The best way to keep your carpool running smoothly is by working out some carpool rules in advance. Decide how to handle issues like smoking, eating and drinking in the car, radio playing, waiting times for tardy riders, seating arrangements, car maintenance (a clean car is a happy car), and driving rotation. You may even want to talk about talking in the car. Some people enjoy it, others don't -- especially in traffic. Agree on how to handle vacations and bad weather. And don't forget to give everyone a list with each carpooler's home and work phone numbers in case of illness or emergency.
- Find Commuting Blogs and traffic information in your area!
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