Recently, BankAtlantic held a "zip code social," an outing so employees can find out who lives near each other. The company wants its workers to ride to work together. While gas prices are down, ($32 to fill up the other day, yippee!) it’s still cheaper if you can cut down on fuel consumption by ridesharing.
I’m not sure if you would want to be that intimate with your coworkers, but maybe it could be worthwhile. If they are great, you can get to bond and save Mother Earth. But if your coworkers are pests…
Here’s a calculator (you know I love calculators) that shows how much you would save if you rideshare to your work place.The numbers are a little bit dated in that calculator, but the figure is pretty good. Here’s a website dedicated to ridesharing.
Do you car pool to work? Do you like it? Is it worth it? How much do you save? Would you do it?
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Technically I carpool to work (with hubby). While I do like saving gas, carpooling also has its inconveniences. For example, when he needs to work late and I’m ready to go.
However, I do know some coworkers who carpool and when it’s time to leave, it’s time to leave. No staying late. I imagine it would also be inconvenient if you like to run errands during the day and don’t have your car.
Everything can’t be measured in dollars and cents.To me peace and tranqulity are more important than saving a few dollars. I like the freedom of being able to do what and when I want without having to consider a fellow carpooler. My travel to and from work is when I focus on what I need to do or unwind. I don’t need to focus on anyone else’s needs at those times. Plus you might get a carpooler from hell(smile).
I tried it for a few months earlier this year, and ultimately it just didn’t work. I agree with what Senior Diva said. If I want to sleep a bit later one morning, I want to have that option. If I need to run errands on my lunch break (and I often do) or stop and get groceries on the way home, I want to be able to do that. Plus, it gets kind of annoying to have to make conversation to and from work every day (especially when it’s a 40-mile roundtrip commute like mine), when sometimes you just want to listen to All Things Considered on the radio.
I don’t carpool to work and I would do it but only with specific coworkers.
Luckily I live in NYC so public transporation is the #1 form of transportation.
But if I still lived in Atlanta I would have gladly car pooled. The problem is carpooling only works if you have similar hours as your coworkers. And as the Frugalista knows, us journalists have some wacky work schedules. I used to work nights so of course carpooling wouldn’t have worked.
But for those who can, they should. It’s not just about saving money it’s about lowering your carbon footprint and saving our dying earth.
With my work schedule and routine, there is no way I can car pool. Wish I could. Sigh.