Transportation: Go Green with a Carpool
Do you cringe every time you fill your car up at the pump? Wish there was a less wasteful way to get to work than driving alone in your car? Consider the carpool. It’s getting more and more popular these days as drivers start calculating how much it’s costing them just to get to work.
If you’ve never been in a carpool before, it may sound confusing. Or maybe you wonder if you’ll be able to tolerate riding to work with others if you’re not a morning person. The key to a good carpool is finding a group of like-minded people. Chances are, if they want to go green, they’re a lot like you in other ways, too, and you don’t have to ride with a whole gaggle of people. Even taking one passenger will help the environment.
Why is carpooling such a great idea? For every car that is not on the road, less greenhouse gases are being emitted into the ozone. There are also fewer accidents and less noise. If everyone drove themselves, there would be no parking spaces at all. The more people that carpool, the more the landscape opens up for alternatives to parking lots. And less parking lots means less damage to natural beauty and grounds and less pollution.
You may be on the fence about commuting via carpool. You know it’s a good idea, but the thought of having to make conversation at seven a.m. is just too tiring. But think about what you’ll be saving by chatting with a few coworkers in the morning. Your car will last you much longer than it would if you drove it every day to work. If you lease your car, you may save in mileage add on fees, too.
You’re also saving on gas, of course, which means more cash in your bank account every month, but you’re also saving on oil changes, car repairs, tire replacements, and regular maintenance. And then there’s car insurance, too. Considering that the average household spends more on their car than on food, it makes good sense to come out of your comfort zone and try a carpool. The average carpooler will save nearly $500 each year over the cost of driving.
Not every carpool is headed to the office. Many people carpool already to get the kids to after school activities and sports events. This may seem like more of a logical choice if you and a neighbor have kids in the same activities, and this is a great place to start your ride sharing. She can drive on Wednesdays and you on Fridays, or however you want to work it. Those times when you’re not the driver will allow you a few extra minutes to get some things done at home or run an errand.
Carpoolers not only save money, but they also reap health benefits. If you’re not at the wheel every morning fighting traffic you’ll be more relaxed when you get to work. You’ll have a few extra minutes to sip your coffee, catch up on some emails, or just prepare mentally for your day. You’ll also help other employees who might tend to be late to get to work on time. Either they have to pick you up, and so have to arrive on time at your house, or you’re picking them up and ensuring they get to the office on time. Everyone wins.
If you have no idea where to find a carpool in your area, start at work. Many office places have carpool information at the ready. Just ask the Human Resources office. If you work for a smaller office, you might ask the boss if you can post a sign in the lunch room asking if anyone wants to carpool. You can also check online. There are hundreds of sites that help pair carpoolers with locals who want to join in. You might also post a note at the commuter lot asking if anyone wants to share a ride.
Above all, the carpool experience can be beneficial for everyone. It leaves your car home for another family member in case there’s an emergency, it adds years to your car’s life span, it provides an excuse to socialize with coworkers, and it takes the burden off of you to drive every day. The facts that you’ll also be more relaxed and help the environment at the same time are additional benefits.
If you find that your carpool is not working out, don’t be afraid to speak up. Chances are the others in the group sense it, too. It’s perfectly okay to let the group know you’ll be driving yourself for a while. Don’t feel you have to stay with an arrangement forever once you make it. It’s supposed to be for everyone’s benefit, so be sure to get in with a group that works for everyone.