How to Start a Carpool
Whether you want to save money on gas or feel it is time to conserve energy to better the environment, follow this advice to gather up some like-minded individuals.
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You Will Need
- Internet access
- Car
- People traveling your route
- Destinations
- List of responsibilities
- Payment plan
Steps
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Step 1
Network carpoolers
Connect carpoolers. Send out a group e-mail, post a notice at work, a carpool network service found online.
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Step 2
Meet the interested carpoolers
Meet interested carpoolers to make sure you are compatible. Discuss everything from where they live and what time they start work, to personal eating and smoking habits.
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If you do not think that some people will blend into the carpool easily do not include them from the start.
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Step 3
Finalize the group
Finalize the group of carpoolers. Make a list of driver and rider responsibilities. These responsibilities should include punctuality, a backup plan, and whether eating, smoking, and the use of cellphones are allowed on the ride.
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Step 4
Plot the route
Mark the final destination on a map along with the residents of the people interested in sharing a ride to plot the route. Schedule a time for each stop allowing for delays due to traffic and weather.
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It may make more sense for everyone to drive to one person's house than for the driver to pick everyone up individually.
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Step 5
Decide on a payment plan
Decide on a payment plan and add it to the list of responsibilities. Alternating drivers where everyone pays for their own gas eliminates having to collect and circulate money.
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Step 6
Sit back and enjoy
Sit back and enjoy the ride getting to know your new fellow carpoolers. You can even take a short nap or catch up on some reading when it's not your turn to drive.
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The concept of carpooling was first touted in the 1940s when the U.S. government was rationing supplies for the war effort.
