Sierra Mazda’s Guide to Green Driving: Part 9
Car Pool
The 2009 Mazda3
If we think of our costs and emissions in per capita terms, the more people in the vehicle, the better for the wallet and the environment. It isn’t always easy to find the right person to carpool with, especially given our complicated schedules and our sprawling cities. It definitely won’t happen if you don’t look for the opportunities. But even if you can double up for one day a week on your commute to work, you will reduce your commuting gas usage by 10% (only half the gas credited to you on that shared day). If you can get a third person in the car for that one day, it goes to 13%. Two days is better than one. Every little bit helps.
If you are open to finding new friends for shared commutes, go to any one of the following car pool websites:
Commuter Page has 10 helpful tips on keeping a car pool group running. Here’s a sample of their tips:
1. Determine your route and schedule. Establish the morning pickup point(s) and designate a place(s) to meet for the trip home.
2. Draw up a schedule for driving responsibilities. If all members of your carpool alternate driving, decide among yourselves if you want to alternate on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
3. Establish a method for reimbursing driving expenses. Is all members of your carpool do not share the driving equally, come to an understanding of how the costs will be shared and agree on payment dates.
Next: Ken Liu’s Hybrid Discussion Part 1
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