carpool tips and frequently asked questions


getting a carpool started

  • Consider starting out on a trial basis for a month or two. Be flexible; carpool one or two days a week, or every day. Agree to reconsider your arrangements if they do not seem to be working.
  • Decide on schedules and pick-up points. View the list of Park & Ride Lots as a potential meeting location. 
  • Agree on waiting times and side trips. 
  • Divide the driving responsibilities any way you want. 
  • Agree on rules for the radio, smoking, open windows, car temperature, eating policies and all the other potential annoyances that can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and an unpleasant one. 
  • Decide on payment schedules, if needed. Non-drivers in the pool should contribute to expenses. If everyone shares driving equally, there may not be a need to exchange any money. Consider trading driving to eliminate exchange of money.
  • Compile a phone list for all pool members and agree on notification procedures in the event of illness, mechanical trouble, weather conditions, or schedule changes that may interfere with your pool routine. 
  • Keep your car in good condition. A dirty or unreliable car can spoil your carpool. Check with your insurance agent on possible discounts for carpooling or vanpooling.
  • Carpool Discussion Checklist 



frequently asked questions


who does the driving?

In some carpools, each carpool member takes turns driving their own vehicle, while in others there is only one driver. There is no hard and fast rule - it is totally dependent upon the individual circumstances of those in your carpool.

what if I don't have a car?

No problem. When you are registering with iRideShare simply indicate that you wish to be a passenger only.

how much should carpool passengers pay?

This is perhaps one of the key questions asked by potential carpoolers and, unfortunately, there is no set answer. In carpools where driving is equally shared, no money usually changes hands as each member is using their personal vehicle an equal amount of time. When only one person does the driving, or when there is an unequal split of driving responsibilities, the cost-sharing arrangement must be discussed and agreed upon by those in the carpool. The carpool members are free to base the costs on whatever they may choose.

how much will I save by carpooling?

Depending on your vehicle and driving patterns, the total cost of auto ownership and use can range from approximately $0.50 per mile to over $1.00 per mile. For a person with a longer than average commute (i.e., more than 12 miles) and carpooling 250 days a year, the potential savings in a two-person carpool could exceed $1,500. This does not include any savings in parking or toll costs. To calculate your commuting costs, Click Here.

do I have to carpool every day?

No! You can carpool every day or only a few days a week. You and your carpool members decide upon the schedule. Some people even belong to two carpools - you may carpool with one carpool on Mondays and Wednesdays and then join a second carpool for the remainder of the week.

what do I do if the people that iRideShare matches me with don't really live that close to me?

iRideShare is new. It takes time for people to register and to populate the database. If you don't find any compatible partners on the first try, come back again in a week or two.

what happens if I'm sick?

Call your carpool partner or follow the chain of communication that has been decided upon at your initial meeting. If you're the driver, try to give as much advance warning as possible.

what happens if I oversleep or am late?

Being late, or having to wait longer than anticipated, is one of the most common reasons why carpools fail. Just like a bus, carpools work best when they are on a defined schedule. Being on-time is just as important in a carpool as it is with transit. Each carpool should have clearly defined guidelines for how long they will wait.

what if I have a doctor's appointment or errands to run before, after, or during work?

Schedule your appointments on the days you don't carpool. Sharing a ride on those days may not make sense.

what if I have to drive my child to day care or school?

If the other members of your carpool don't have similar arrangements, make the day-care centre or the school your pick-up and drop-off point. That way you can schedule your pick-up time to correspond to the time when you know your child is happily settled in for the day.
Note: If you are going to have a pick-up/drop-off point different than your home ZIP code, just make sure you enter the origin and destination address of the location where you would like to be picked up and dropped off.

what if I have to work late?

If you know you have to work late on a particular day then don't carpool. Carpooling is meant to be a flexible and convenient arrangement. On those days when it is not convenient, commute to work in another manner. Take the bus, your bike, walk, telework or bring your own car.

what if my carpool isn't working out?

Give your present carpool sufficient notice that you will be leaving. Go back to iRideShare to find a new carpool partner and try again.