How to Start a Carpool

Just think: Instead of four cars belching pollution on the roadways, you could share one and reduce your carbon footprint dramatically. But how do you get started? Here are the easy steps for starting a carpool and reduce your negative impact on the environment:

In the workplace

1. Send out a group email or put up a notice at work; you may be surprised how many people live near enough to you that they would be willing to carpool.

2. Come up with a schedule and a route that feels workable, figure out the timing (always allow some extra time for traffic jams and other eventualities), and try it. Have a back-up plan in case the designated driver gets sick.

3. Try a three-warning whistle-blowing system for habitual latecomers who make the whole car late for work: three strikes and you’re out of the pool.

Grocery trips

These can be carpooled, too. Talk to your neighbors and organize a cooperative shopping day. If you’re a sociable type, it makes shopping a lot more fun.

Supporting local farms

If you have a local farm that sells fresh produce, pooling trips to pick it up can make it a real celebration rather than a chore.

Clothes shopping

This can be especially helpful if you have children. Figure out where you want to go (choose thrift shops if you really want to reduce your impact on the environment!) pack everybody into one vehicle, and go to town!

Read more: Life, Transportation, , carpool

By the Care2 staff.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

5:53AM PDT on May 30, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Past Member .

12:03PM PDT on Aug 21, 2010

all this talk is so useless . Why ? Because if we look at the amount of carbon dioxide we produce with our pointless ridiculous cars comparing with EU, than we will see the real problem.

New York City walking tours

9:47AM PDT on Jun 8, 2010

I don't have a car.
I carpool for the big grocery shopping, I walk to my in-laws and catch a ride with them.

Lola M.

5:03AM PDT on May 17, 2010

Great tips indeed :)
Well you can also join one of the carpool website like http://www.carpoolssearch.com/ to start a carpool.

Heather B.

3:16PM PST on Mar 3, 2010

Great tips. Thanks.

RebeccaAWAY S.

9:00PM PST on Feb 8, 2010

I used to carpool. A woman almost hit my car in the rear. She didn't but it scared the kids. I got a bill for therapy for one of the children it scared. Needless to say I stopped carpooling. ( I didn't have to pay the bill LOL).

Jan S.

4:20PM PST on Feb 8, 2010

Get a magnet for your fuel line to reduce harmful emissions and get better mileage. Check out info at gmxfuel.com

Paritosh P.

4:19AM PST on Feb 8, 2010

good idea

Kay O.

4:54PM PST on Jan 8, 2010

I support car pooling when I'm not walking or
using public transit where I live and when I travel domestically or abroad. I read an article
who commented on the single passenger trips made
in Los Angeles, cars can be anti-social.

Liz A.

7:31PM PDT on May 8, 2009

Just shared your article on my FB. Great ideas, thanks!