Carpooling Guide: How It Works & Top Platforms to Use
Carpooling is a commuting trend and an effective solution for reducing traffic congestion, air pollution, and transportation costs. It is a simple concept where multiple people share a ride in a single vehicle to reach their desired destination. Carpooling can be done with friends, coworkers, or through online platforms that connect drivers and passengers going in the same direction.
The benefits of carpooling are numerous. It reduces the number of cars on the road, which in turn reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. Carpooling also saves money on gas, parking fees, and vehicle maintenance costs. Moreover, it can be a great way to meet new people, socialize, and build friendships.
Despite the benefits, carpooling is not as popular as it should be. Many people are unaware of the advantages of carpooling and how easy it is to get started. In the following sections, we will explore the benefits of carpooling in more detail and provide practical tips for getting started.
We reviewed the top carpooling and carsharing platforms to save you time!
Poparide | BlaBlaCar | RideshareOnline | CarpoolWorld |
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Rating 8/10 | Rating 7.9/10 | Rating 7.6/8 | Rating 4.3/10 |
To jump directly to our review, click here.
Table of Contents
Understanding Carpooling
Carpooling, also known as ride-sharing or car-sharing, is the act of sharing a car with others for a regular journey. It’s distinct from car-sharing, where people rent cars for short durations, and services like Uber and Lyft which offer rides on demand. It is a popular way to save money, reduce traffic congestion, and lower carbon emissions.
Carpooling can be done in many different ways. Some carpools are organized by groups of people who know each other, such as co-workers or neighbors. Other carpools are organized through online platforms that connect drivers with passengers. Never forget about the proper carpooling etiquette. Read more about this with our “5 Essential Carpooling Etiquette Tips for a Pleasant Shared Ride Experience“.
Carpooling can be done on a regular or casual basis. Regular carpools are typically organized by a group of people who share a common destination, such as a workplace or school. Casual carpools, on the other hand, are more spontaneous and often involve strangers who are traveling in the same direction.
The History of Carpooling
Carpooling has a long history that dates back to the early 20th century. The Model T was one of the first cars that lured commuters off streetcars and into private vehicles, and carpooling became a popular way to save money on transportation costs. During World War II, carpooling became even more popular as a conservation method to save rubber, gas, and wear-and-tear on vehicles.
The U.S. Office of Civilian Defense operated a Car Sharing Club Exchange and Self-Dispatching System in the 1940s, which helped people find carpools. However, carpooling declined in popularity in the post-war years as people became more affluent and started buying their own cars.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the oil crisis led to a resurgence in carpooling as people looked for ways to save money on gas. The federal government encouraged carpooling by allowing cars with multiple passengers to use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes.
MIT’s Rideshare Research publication notes that carpooling has endured well beyond its heyday in the late 70s. Today, carpooling is seen as an effective way to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and transportation costs.
Benefits of Carpooling
Environmental Benefits
Carpooling can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of transportation by reducing the number of vehicles on the road. This, in turn, reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, helping to mitigate the negative impact of transportation on the environment. Carpooling also conserves energy and reduces fuel consumption, which can help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Financial Benefits
Carpooling can help individuals save money on travel costs, such as fuel, maintenance, and parking fees. Carpoolers can also share the costs of travel, which can make transportation more affordable for everyone involved. Furthermore, carpooling can help reduce the wear and tear on vehicles, which can help to reduce maintenance costs in the long run.
Social and Mental Benefits
Carpooling can provide social and mental benefits to individuals by allowing them to connect with others and form new friendships. Carpooling can also help to reduce stress and anxiety associated with driving alone, as carpoolers can share the responsibility of driving and enjoy a more relaxed commute.
Reducing Congestion and Parking Issues
Carpooling can help to reduce traffic congestion by reducing the number of vehicles on the road. This can help to reduce travel time and improve the efficiency of transportation. Carpooling can also help to reduce the demand for parking spaces, which can help to reduce the need for new parking infrastructure.
Benefits to Employers and Campuses
Carpooling can benefit employers and campuses by reducing the demand for parking spaces and improving the efficiency of transportation. Employers and campuses can also promote carpooling as a sustainable transportation option, which can help to reduce their carbon footprint and improve their environmental impact.
Drawbacks and Challenges of Carpooling
Coordination
One of the biggest challenges of carpooling is coordinating schedules. If you’re carpooling with people who have different work or school schedules, it can be challenging to find a time that works for everyone. Additionally, if someone is running late, it can cause delays for everyone else in the carpool.
To address this challenge, it’s important to establish clear expectations and communication channels. Set a regular pickup time and location, and make sure everyone knows what to do if they’re running late or need to cancel.
Regular Journey
Carpooling is most effective when it involves a regular journey, such as commuting to work or school. However, if your schedule or destination changes frequently, it may be difficult to find a carpool group that can accommodate your needs.
If you have a flexible schedule, consider joining a ride-sharing service instead. These services allow you to request a ride on demand, without the need for a regular carpool group.
Drawbacks
There are also some drawbacks to carpooling that may not be immediately obvious. For example:
- Lack of privacy: Carpooling means sharing a small space with other people, which may not be ideal for those who value their privacy.
- Reduced flexibility: Carpooling requires you to stick to a schedule, which may not be ideal if you need to stay late at work or leave early for an appointment.
- Dependence on others: If a member of your carpool group is sick or on vacation, you may need to find an alternative mode of transportation.
It’s important to weigh these drawbacks against the benefits of carpooling to determine if it’s the right choice for you.
Safety Concerns
While carpooling offers numerous benefits, it also raises safety concerns for both drivers and passengers. Sharing rides with strangers, though often uneventful, can lead to potential risks such as theft, assault, or uncomfortable situations.
It’s essential to vet carpool participants, use platforms that offer user reviews and ratings, and share trip details with a trusted person. Additionally, meeting in public places for pick-ups, ensuring the vehicle’s safety, and setting ground rules can further mitigate risks and create a secure carpooling environment.
If you want to learn more about this subject, read our article: Is Carpool Safe? Safety Guidelines to Protect Yourself on Carpooling Platforms
Understanding Carpooling Websites and Platforms
How can you start carpooling? Well, just asking friends or neighbors to share a ride, for instance. But, in the digital age, you can also use websites and online platforms to set up carpooling.
Carpooling websites and platforms are online places where people can find others to share rides with. Users sign up, tell the platform where they’re going, and then get matched with others going the same way. These websites often let users rate each other to make sure everyone is trustworthy. In short, these online tools make finding and organizing shared rides easy and safe.
There are a lot of carpooling websites and platforms out there. If you want to search for a suitable carpooling website on your own, we will save you some time: We wrote the guide “How to Choose the Perfect Carpooling Website in 10 Steps” to smooth your discover the perfect carpooling website for their daily commute.
Top Carpooling & Carsharing Platforms Reviewed
1. Poparide – Rating: 8/10
Operating exclusively in Canada, Poparide has quickly risen in popularity since its inception. The platform stands out with its intuitive design and stringent safety protocols, catering to both regular commuters and sporadic riders. Noteworthy features include efficient in-app messaging, a sharp ride-matching system, and optimized routing. Although users should be mindful of the transaction fee, it’s justified given the platform’s extensive advantages.
If Canada were my home, Poparide would undoubtedly be my top pick for carpooling and carsharing!
2. BlaBlaCar – Rating: 7.9/10
BlaBlaCar boasts a user-centric interface, commendable safety features, and consistently positive reviews. Its offerings make it a trustworthy and hassle-free choice for daily riders. Much like Poparide, there’s a transaction fee to note.
Since I reside outside Canada, BlaBlaCar remains my preferred carsharing solution.
3. RideshareOnline – Rating: 7.6/10
This government-backed platform serves only Oregon and Washington. While RideshareOnline’s most attractive feature is that it’s entirely free, its primary drawback lies in its difficulty in pairing suitable riders, indicating a smaller active user community. This limited user base is indeed a missed opportunity for such a platform.
4. CarpoolWorld – Rating: 4.3/10
Visually reminiscent of a 90s-era Craigslist flooded with ads, CarpoolWorld is a letdown. The platform’s glaring lack of safety protocols is concerning, and its outdated design doesn’t help. On the upside, it’s entirely free and boasts extensive geographic coverage. Yet, its downsides overshadow these benefits.
FAQ
What do you mean by carpooling?
Carpooling involves multiple people sharing a single vehicle for a journey, typically to a common destination, reducing the number of cars on the road.
What is carpool and how does it work?
Carpool is a system where individuals share rides. A driver offers seats in their vehicle, and passengers contribute towards costs or take turns driving.
What is an example of carpooling?
Four coworkers commute daily to their office in one car instead of driving separately, rotating the driving responsibility weekly.
Why do people use carpooling?
Carpooling saves money, reduces traffic congestion, lowers carbon emissions, and provides a social commuting experience.