Be Cool – Carpool!

While COVID-19 has changed the face of commuting, we’re here to help you carpool safely and make a difference in the air quality in PA!  Web MD notes that “people who don’t own a car may rely on ride-sharing services to get around.”  One of the services provided by Commuter Services of PA is a ride match program.  This is helpful for people who don’t own a personal vehicle, who want to save gasoline, or wanting to save wear and tear on their vehicles. 

We want to make sure everyone is safe while carpooling during the pandemic. The CDC’s complete guidelines on safely ridesharing include the following recommendations:

• Stay home if you are sick
• Wear a cloth face mask
• Limit the number of passengers to one per row
• Disinfect your car regularly
• Wash your hands immediately upon arriving at your destination

PennDOT notes that “Sharing your ride with just one other person reduces your commuting expenses by almost half, potentially saving you thousands of dollars each year. It is one reason ridesharing is such a popular form of alternative transportation, especially in areas where public transit is not available. But ridesharing is also a great way to meet new people, reduce traffic congestion and help the environment.”

With schools slowly reopening, keeping your kids safe is also a priority.  It’s important that you teach your children how to act to reduce their risk while riding in a carpool or bus.  “Carpooling has become an essential function in the lives of many families across the country. Whether it involves taking kids to and from school or shuttling them back and forth between extracurricular activities, carpooling can help your day run a little smoother,” says Safe Rides 4 Kids.  Check out their site for informative ways on educating your kids, your carpool partners, and yourself. 

According to OSHA, one of the most important things to do beyond what is mentioned above is to improve the airflow in the car.  This means having the windows down as much as possible.  The weather is cooling down, so make sure you (or your children) are dressed appropriately for chilly temperatures and open windows. 

Ridesharing in the time of COVID-19 can seem daunting, but it can be done safely if you follow these simple recommendations and take the precautions mentioned in this article.  For the most up-to-date procedures make sure you check with the CDC. 

Don’t forget to record your carpool trips in Commute PA to earn rewards.  Enter to win a $50 gift card of your choice using points earned recording green trips.  You can track how much gas you are saving, how many miles you have reduced, and how much CO2 you have kept out of the air.  Last November together we took 91,941 miles off the road, saved $53,326, 4,145 gallons of gas was saved, and CO2 was reduced by 40.6 tons – all from 3,858 carpool trips!  Help us break the record for this November by logging on to show how cool it is to carpool!