Commuter Profile: Carpooling

There are many options to add a bit more sustainability into your weekly travels. One way to do it is through carpooling. Carpooling is a great option if there is no bus service near you, your commute is too far to bike, or you just enjoy being behind the wheel. We recently spoke to Stephen, who frequently carpools with people headed in the same direction as him.

Carpooling doesn’t have to be about your ride but can be about extending help toward others. Stephen set up a profile on Share The Ride Idaho website as a carpool driver. Stephen, a Boise resident but an employee in downtown Meridian, said he was skeptical at first until someone reached out to him.

“He has a job in Boise, but his job had training in Meridian,” Stephen said. “His transportation cost would have been 40 dollars and also would have been his entire (weekly transportation) budget.” Being able to get where we need to be is often a privilege we don’t consider, but for some is one of the biggest challenges is simply figuring out how to get to work or other essential services.

“I cut his cost in half by him carpooling with me to work,” said Stephen. “We got to know each other a bit. You also don’t have to sign into people’s ride for their whole careers.” Often, like in Stephen’s case, people only need a ride for a few days or a few weeks. In other cases, you can find a co-worker, friend, or person that lives and works close to you to carpool on a more regular basis.

Did you know that if you work in downtown Boise and carpool, you can save 50 percent on your monthly ParkBOI parking pass? City Go has partnered with ParkBOI to bring you a $75 per month parking pass for carpoolers. Bonus: you get priority parking in your choice of the six ParkBOI garages. You can learn more about the City Go carpool program here.

Do you commute sustainably and want to share your story? Reach out to City Go’s Communication Specialist Alex at amilles@valleyregionaltransit.org or on our Instagram @CityGoBoise

Ready to start carpooling, but need a carpool partner? Click here to see the Share the Ride Idaho website Save time, money and reduce your impact by finding fellow residents and employees taking similar trips. To make your carpool connection, simply set your origin and destination for a regular or one-time trip. Share the Ride Idaho will match you with others who have a similar travel plan.

Carpooling and COVID-19

During the pandemic, carpooling can be a great alternative to higher density modes of transportation. It is accessible to people all over the Treasure Valley, it’s sustainable, and carpool partners can agree on safety measures so that everyone is comfortable and safe. Benefits of carpooling include:

  • Lower density transport

  • Saves money on parking and gas

  • Accessible to people with a variety of commute distances

  • Available to people with limited or no access to a vehicle

  • Reduces parking needs

  • Reduces vehicle emissions and improves air quality

Tips for carpooling:

  • Wear a mask

  • A passenger should sit in the back seat to provide better social distancing

  • Do not ride or drive when sick

  • Limit number of carpoolers (we recommend only 2)

  • Wipe down car seats, door handles, and seatbelts with disinfectant after every ride

  • Let passengers handle their own personal items, luggage, and groceries

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