Use carpooling to save money on transportation
Carpooling, which is also called car-sharing or ride-sharing, is when more than one person shares a car for a single trip, usually to get to or from work or school. Instead of each person driving their own car, they plan to travel together in one car and split the costs of gas, tolls, and parking.
Carpooling is a great way to save money
cut down on pollution, and meet new people. But starting a carpool can be hard if you don’t know what needs to be done first. Here are some things you can do to make sure your carpool goes smoothly and quickly.
At the start of the carpool, there are a few things that need to be talked about and decided on. These include how people like to listen to the radio, talk, smoke, read, and eat. If you agree on these things right away, you can avoid problems later.
If you want to take turns driving, it’s best to switch every week, every month, or every day, but keep a firm, regular schedule. This makes it less likely that people will not understand each other. Reimbursing drivers and setting regular payment dates might help the carpool run smoothly and minimize conflicts.
It’s important to have and stick to a “clean car” policy
The car you drive to and from work should be clean, safe, comfortable, and serviced on a regular basis. Carpooling should only be used to get you to and from work. Don’t take any side trips. If you want your carpool to last, agree ahead of time that no one will take side trips.
It’s important to be on time. Both drivers and riders need to know this. Wait for each passenger for a set amount of time, and then move on. Don’t honk for your passengers, especially early in the morning, because it’s rude to the people around you.
Setting up a way for people to talk to each other and a backup carpool plan can save time and trouble if someone gets sick or a car breaks down. The way people talk should be like how people get picked up in the morning. If someone in your carpool moves or changes their schedule, be ready to find a new person to take their place.
Driving safely is the most important thing. Speeding, taking risks, or just being careless should never be okay. Safety should be your only rule. Liability coverage is usually enough, but you should always talk to your insurance agent about your plans to carpool to make sure you have the right coverage.
Lastly, think of carpooling as a way for you and people who could become your friends to work together. For a carpool to work, everyone needs to use common sense, be reliable, be kind, plan ahead, and be flexible. Carpooling can be a fun and cheaper alternative to driving alone if you keep yourself clean and are willing to give up or change some of your habits.
