Carpool-The best way of transport!

Anyone living outside the city where he is working can face problems brought about by commuting to work. Carpooling is a flexible, convenient and less-expensive way to reach your destination. Carpooling is also known as car-sharing, ride-sharing, and lift-sharing.

Carpooling is very beneficial for both of us "Ourselves and our nature":
-saves the world's oil reserves.
-reduces the number of cars on the road and as a result reduces congestion.
-Saves money on commuting costs and also reduces impact on the the environment.

According to a recent US study, "Commuting in America":

- U.S. drivers wasted 4.2 billion hours sitting in traffic in 2005.
- Traffic delays consumed approximately 2.9 billion gallons of fuel.
- In Los Angeles, the average driver wastes about 72 hours/year going nowhere.

Conventional carpools usually have at least one rider who habitually sleeps late, causing others to have to wait and risking everyone arriving late to work. The "casual carpools" organized using this site involve commuters meeting at parking lots in their own neighborhoods, with drivers arriving at regular intervals during rush hour and picking up waiting riders.

What is casual carpooling?
Casual carpooling is an ad hoc carpool which is an informal car pool which forms when drivers and passengers meet -- without specific prior arrangements -- at designated locations.

Casual carpooling requires:

- Drivers with their vehicles
- People seeking riders
- Parking lots in neighborhood
- An incentive for commuting drivers to pick up would-be commuting riders

Car pooling precautions:
Here're some basic guidelines to bear in mind prior to car pooling:
Try to confirm your fellow travel partner's identity.
Ask some general questions about driving habits.
Try to meet in a public place first before making firm arrangements with people involved in a carpool.
Never reveal too much personal information until you know a fellow carpooler better.
Have a backup plan in unavoidable situations such as in case of medical emergency.
Settle ahead of time issues of eating/drinking inside the car, using gadgets, stops along the way and flexibility in pickup times if a person is late.

Who should opt for Carpooling?
Commuters with regular work hours.
Those with longer commutes.
Those whose commuting routes and schedules are similar to those of others.

Carpooling is a good way to establish good long-lasting relationships with your fellow carpoolers. It will save money and reduce pollution, and also you can make your daily commute very enjoyable. So enjoy driving in the fast HOV lanes with your newfound carpoolers and try to spread your network in your office or organization!