Missoula Ravalli Transportation Management Association

Carpool

Plenty of people are willing to share your ride and the costs. Put extra money in your pocket by adding these riders to your commute.

Carpooling is convenient, cost effective and easy. You make the carpool suit your needs – whether it’s comfort, reduced travel time, or money savings.

Recruiting

Call Missoula Ravalli TMA. We offer free matching services and may be able to find you riders.
 

Getting Started

To get your carpool started, check off the following items:

• Recruit rider(s)
• Determine pick-up and drop-off points
• Establish your daily route
• Set up the rules for your carpool
• Agree on driver rotation or on a back-up driver and procedure
• Agree on fares and gas contributions, if needed
• Get Matched TODAY!

Fares

What should you charge? If each person in the carpool takes a turn driving, don’t charge anything. If only one person drives, charge each rider a reasonable fare. Only you can determine what constitutes a reasonable fare. But, remember that there are more expenses than just gasoline. Each rider should be expected to pay for a share of the gasoline, oil, service, insurance, and  “wear and tear items”. We suggest that you figure the total commute expenses at $.54 per mile (2008 AAA estimate for a midsize car) and then share that cost among all participants in your carpool, including yourself.

Insurance

It’s the law. You need insurance – for your car and for your passengers. Check with your insurance agent to make sure that you have adequate coverage.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance and cleaning ensure that your car is in top shape. Routine servicing prevents breakdowns. We suggest oil changes and servicing at least every 4,000 miles. It will save on repair bills.

Rules

Your carpool will operate smoothly if a few rules are established in advance. For example, decide on policies about smoking, the radio, waiting times and driving rotation. Agree on vacation plans and illness notification. A few minutes now will save time and headaches later.

Records

You may want to keep specific records. A list, which includes each carpool participant’s name, address, home phone, and work phone, comes in handy in case of emergencies. A record of mileage, gasoline purchases and fares eliminate conflicts at a later date.

Sample Carpool Rules

Each rider and driver is expected to abide by the rules of this carpool.

1. The fare per rider is $______ per month and shall be paid before the first day of the month.
2. Seating will be first come, first serve.
3. Pick-up points and times are:__________
4. Drop-off points and times are:_________
5. Maximum waiting time at each pick-up point is _______ minutes
6. Smoking in the carpool is not allowed.
7. The radio will be set on _____FM in the morning and on ______FM in the afternoon.
8. Rules may be changed by a majority vote.

Sample Rider Agreement

The undersigned parties agree to operation of this carpool as set out below.

The DRIVER agrees to:

1. Provide a clean car in safe operating condition for daily commuting by the riders.
2. Drive the car daily to/from work according to the established route and schedule.
3. Provide a backup procedure in case of car breakdown or driver absence.
4. Collect fares and issue receipts on or before the first day of each month
5. Provide complete insurance coverage for the operation of the carpool.

The RIDER agrees to:

1. Pay a full fare on or before the first day of each month.
2. Abide by all rules established for the carpool.
3. Notify the driver in advance of all anticipated absences.
4. Provide his/her own alternate transportation when the carpool is unavailable.

To register for a local carpool or view available rides, visit:

AlterNetRides