Gasoline prices are climbing again, which means the cost of driving to school is climbing. Wouldn’t you like a way to share your commuting costs?
Check out AlterNetRides. AlterNetRides is an easy-to-use, online service that links you with other people who would like to carpool to or from campus. (AlterNetRides is available to both students and DCCCD employees, but employees are not allowed to ride with students.)
Visit the DCCCD AlterNetRides site, click on the college you attend or work at, and see a list of other people who want to go to and from campus. Then you can check out the general area where they live and decide which carpooler is right for you.
Carpooling might even reduce your commuting time: Vehicles with at least two riders are usually eligible to take the HOV lanes on highways that have HOV lanes. And carpooling reduces your carbon footprint, helping the environment.
Features for Carpoolers
AlterNetRides has some great features for carpoolers:
- Carpool management areas
- Instant phone notification by voice or text
- Yahoo! mapping to help you locate other ride sharers
- A “thumbs-up” rating system so you can rate the rides you take and find the best rides
DCCCD’s AlterNetRides service lets you refine your ride preferences when you sign up. You can offer to share the driving, or you can ask to be a passenger only. You can specify what you’d like to hear on the car radio; you can weed out smokers. By filling in a field with your estimate of the dollar value of each round trip, you can indicate whether and how much you would compensate drivers for rides.
Concerned About Privacy?
AlterNetRides uses a “blind e-mail” technique that protects each person’s privacy. You can use the service without revealing any direct contact information until you’re ready. You’re never under any obligation to share personal information — including your phone number or e-mail address — and can, at any time, change your mind about carpooling or decide you don’t want to carpool with someone who has contacted you.
Features for Everyone
You can take advantage of AlterNetRides’ other great features even if you’re not carpooling:
- A commuters log, where you can track your carbon dioxide usage
- A green vehicle guide that allows you look up the Environmental Protection Agency’s pollution rating for any vehicle
- A vehicle log that lets you track the cost of owning a vehicle
As always, use common sense and good judgment as you select others for your ride share or carpool — just as you do when you choose friends and acquaintances.
Sign Up Now!
Would you like more details about AlterNetRides? Read our comprehensive list of frequently asked questions. And learn more about how to get the most out of carpooling.