Carpool Home - FAQ - Guidelines

How do I find carpool partners?
TTA offers a region-wide, instant, online carpool matching program at www.ShareTheRideNC.com that is continually updated as new commuters enter their data. Just enter your home and work locations, the hours you work and your flexibility, and you will be given your closest matches instantly.

Your transportation coordinator or human resources department may be able to provide information on existing carpools at your company, or they may provide you with the names of co-workers who live near you so you can start a new carpool. Some employers offer preferred parking, a guaranteed ride home program, and other incentives for carpoolers. Click here to see if your employer has a transportation coordinator or ridematching service, or if they offer carpool incentives.

Do I have to carpool everyday?
No! You can carpool a few days a week or every day. You and your carpool partner(s) decide the schedule.

What if I have an emergency, or find out I have to work late?
Join a morning-only carpool and take public transit or a later carpool in the evening. Many employers have an Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program. ERH provides registered participants (commuters who regularly ride the bus, vanpool, carpool, bike, or walk) with a reliable, emergency ride home on the day the person has used an alternative mode of transportation to get to work. Click here for more details about ERH.

What if I have to drive my child to daycare or school?
Make the daycare center/school your carpool meeting place, or arrange a carpool with the other parents.

What if I have a doctor's appointment or other errands to run before or after work?
Schedule your errands and appointments on the days you don’t carpool. Sharing a ride for just two or three days a week will still save you money and stress, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality.

What if I feel uncomfortable carpooling with a stranger?
That’s understandable. It is suggested that you meet your potential carpool participant in a public place before you commit to carpooling. Meet, talk, and decide whether you would feel comfortable sharing a ride. You are not obligated to carpool by using a rideshare matching service. In addition, it is suggested that you agree upon a trial period to test the carpool waters. This will protect all participants from feeling awkward if after a short period of time, they decide to leave the carpool.

What if I do not own a car?
No problem. Join a carpool that doesn’t need a driver and pay your share of the gas and parking (if applicable).

How much does it cost?
If the driving is rotated equally, no money needs to change hands. You only pay for gas and parking (if applicable) the day you drive.

How much will I save?
The more carpoolers in your group, the more savings you can expect. Sharing a ride with just one other person cuts your approximate daily commute costs by half. The average carpooler saves over $1,000 a year.