The benefits of carpooling and tips to make it more fun

Carpooling goes by a lot of other different names: ride-sharing, car-sharing, and lift-sharing, but the idea behind it is the same. It is basically sharing a car ride between two or more people who are heading in the same general direction. Many people don’t realize how helpful and beneficial carpooling is.

This article from Philkotse.com will give you an idea of how much of a big deal carpooling is, especially in these times of horrendous traffic jams and rising fuel prices.

I. Benefits of carpooling

Below are the advantages of carpooling and why it needs to be encouraged more among the motoring population.

1. It’s cost-efficient

Carpooling saves money on gas, both for the driver and the passengers. People who would otherwise bring their own cars and spend on gas will instead pay a fraction of that amount in a pool to be handed to the driver. It’s not even about making a profit as it is a small consideration to offset the fuel costs incurred.

If everyone in the carpool group each had a car of their own, they can even rotate the carpool among themselves on different days, deferring the cost of repairs and maintenance on their respective cars.

The more people carpool, the fewer vehicles there will be on the road, which also means reducing the wear and tear that our streets are subjected to on a regular basis.

Carpooling allows you to save money on gas by asking your carpool passengers to share in the gas expenses

>>> Worth to note:  4 best cars to use for carpooling in the Philippines

2. It’s environment-friendly

Carpooling not only saves you money but the environment as well. With a smaller number of vehicles on the road, you cut down on emissions, which means less air pollution.

You also reduce noise pollution as well, not to mention the wonders it will do for traffic congestion when a group of people headed for the same destination didn’t need to bring a car each.

Carpooling will not only save you money, but it will also save the environment

3. It reduces health risks

Fewer emissions from carpooling mean a significantly reduced risk of respiratory illnesses such as asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. The convenience of carpooling also takes off some of the stress of commuting, what with you enduring the long lines just waiting to board a bus, jeepney or taxicab.

It’s also healthy from a social standpoint, since carpooling lets you meet other people and make new friends, possibly enabling you to network and make new connections in the process.   

>>> Related post: Top 5 common PUVs drivers health issues & how to avoid

4. It’s a very convenient option

Carpooling provides flexibility. Whether you need to carpool three or five times a week, the option is always there; just look for other people who need or have the same schedule as you do.

Alternately, you can look for other carpool drivers who will add you to their ride route on specific days that you will need a lift. This flexibility makes carpooling a great and convenient option, especially for long rides.

Carpooling is an amazing option which provides great flexibility to you and to everyone joining you

5. It’s safer

There’s safety in numbers, and since carpooling means traveling in groups, you’ll be in good company. There’s even an option to travel with an all-women carpool group, for the ladies. Better than taking your chances with a creepy-looking, unkempt and downright rude cab driver, for instance.

II. How to make carpooling fun and exciting

If you’re the carpool driver, then you basically run the show, and there are ways to make a carpool ride fun and exciting.

But first, you’ll need to prepare your car and look for people to join your carpooling group, preferably those who live near you and who work in the same place or general area as you do; this will make the pick-up and drop-off easy for everyone.

Once you have a complete carpool group, here are some tips to make the ride more fun for everyone.

If you are drivers, run the show and enjoy carpooling!

Keep your vehicle clean

In order for your passengers and you to enjoy the ride, the car should be clean and free of smelly odors that might make other passengers uncomfortable. Keeping your car clean will also promote a light and presentable ambiance for everyone.

>>> Read more: 5 Things To Avoid In Keeping Your Ride Clean

Prepare some music

You can ask your carpooling members for suggestions on their music preferences so that the trip won’t be boring, much better if everyone agrees on the song playlist. It’s a great way of fostering a bond between carpool members.

Prepare some music to have fun with new friends

Share treats if anyone feels generous

Food and travel seem inseparable to Filipinos, and snacks can liven up even a routine commute. You can talk to your carpool members if they want to share treats for the ride.

A simple sandwich, cookie or candies should be fine, the kind of food that doesn’t take too much effort to open and doesn’t make too much of a mess inside the car.

Share fun stories

There’s no room for boredom on a carpool ride if there are interesting stories to share. Stories of a fun childhood, humorous anecdotes, or a clumsy life experience will surely bring smiles and laughter even on the most tedious journeys.

It also helps every one to get to know each other a little better. There might even be valuable life lessons and nuggets of wisdom to be picked up before the trip is even over.

>>> Click to get more helpful tips and advice for smart driving.