Transit got you down? How about sharing a ride?

"Choose your way." That's what Smart Commute is encouraging residents of the Greater Toronto Area to do with programs such as Carpool Zone, an online carpool matching service aimed at offering an alternative to single-passenger driving. The program is expanding quickly, adding 75 subscribers a week to its online database and developing networks in several parts of the GTA and southwestern Ontario. As of January 2007, their Carpool Zone service is also available in Chinese and French.

Interested in joining? It's free to the general public. Some businesses have also set up subgroups to arrange ride sharing within their company through the Smart Commute database.

The idea behind the business is that people are more inclined to choose modes of transport that fit their lifestyle but don't compromise on convenience. Smart Commute users can create a detailed profile identifying their preferences for travel - right down to whether or not they like to listen to music in the car. Users can also search for people traveling similar routes, contact them by email and then work out the details of who will drive and where to meet.

Ryan Lanyon, Project Director for the Smart Commute Association, is enthusiastic about the growth of the program. "Carpooling really works when you get a critical mass," says Lanyon. "The Smart Commute Association is building networks of

New to Carpooling?

Here are a few tips to help get you started:

• Cost-sharing: If your carpoolers don't share the driving equally, decide how the costs will be shared and agree on payment dates.
• Ground rules: Discuss what can be done in the car, like smoking, eating or drinking as well as sensitivities to strong perfumes or colognes.
• Give your carpool time to work: It usually takes a few weeks for everyone's routine to come together. You don't have to carpool every day. Find out what works best for you.

municipalities and companies effectively linking hundreds of roadways and routes with the Carpool Zone database."

Lanyon describes the service as useful for people who have limited transit options to get to work. "Above all it?s a way to reduce fossil fuel consumption and save money with a minimum of effort. It takes cars off the road, improving road conditions and driving experiences."

It also creates happier commuters. A Carpool Zone User Satisfaction Survey completed in the fall of 2006 found that four out of five Carpool Zone users would recommend the service to friends. With more High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on the horizon, smart commuters are seeing the benefits of a little coordination.

Author: Jenn Gaudette

SUSTAINABILITY IN MOTION: WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU?
1. Carpool	2. Car Sharing
Cost $5-10 (varies depending on shared expenses) Convenience Factors Websites available to help coordinate meeting places & to match routes. Cost sharing on gas. Environmental Benefit Decrease greenhouse gas emissions by taking cars off the road. For More Info www.carpoolzone.ca	Cost $5-11/hr.; $10-50/mth. (mileage fees may apply) Convenience Factors Convenient pick up and drop off locations. Only rent for the time you need the car. Discounts on longer rentals. Environmental Benefit Car sharing companies ensure vehicles are maintained and fuel efficient. For More Info www.autoshare.com www.zipcar.com
3. Public Transit	4. Cycling
Cost $2.75/trip to $100/mth (single, family or monthly passes available) Convenience Factors Get anywhere in the GTA while reading the newspaper. Breeze by traffic on the subway during rush hour. Environmental Benefit Your trip contributes less pollution than driving alone. For More Info www.ttc.ca www.gotransit.com	Cost $20-30 for yearly tune-up or a course to teach you how to do it yourself. Convenience Factors Go anywhere, and breeze by car traffic. Get exercise and get where you need to go. Environmental Benefit No emissions, no fossil fuels. For More Info www.communitybicyclenetwork.org www.toronto.ca/cycling