Carpool Information

Canadians’ reliance on the single occupancy vehicle (SOV) as their preferred choice of transportation continues to contribute to global warming. According to Environment Canada, overall transportation represents the largest single source of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 27% of the total.

Carpooling is a simple way for individuals to take part in the climate change challenge while saving money, reducing congestion and conserving energy along the way. The purpose of this website is to provide assistance to individuals who are considering carpooling as an alternate means of commuting.

Commuters that live near each other and share a common destination form the simplest and most common "carpool" arrangement. Carpooling is an ideal cost saving arrangement, particularly for those individuals who commute long distances to and from work each day, have limited access to public transit and few transportation options available to them.

There are several basic carpool types:

Designated Driver Carpool:

This carpool generally has one driver and one or more passengers. The driver provides the vehicle and passengers pay a daily, weekly or monthly fare based on expenses such as fuel, maintenance and parking.

Alternating Carpool:

Enjoy the simplicity of a carpool in which driving is alternated on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Costs are incurred only during the period in which you are required to drive. Or, put simply -- when you drive you pay, when you ride it’s free.

Employer Carpool:

Some employers encourage employees to share the ride to and from work by allowing the use of company vehicles. Employees pay a fare to offset additional fuel, maintenance and insurance costs. As most company vehicles sit idle in parking lots after business hours this system can benefit both employers and employees. Employers can save their parking for paying customers while demonstrating their environmental responsibility and employees can save money.

Fleet Car/Vanpool Program:

Many large North American cities have regional car and vanpool programs. Programs such as Jack Bell Foundation’s Vanpool Program provide groups of commuters with vehicles to travel to and from work or school. Fares are usually based on round trip kilometres and cover the operating expenses of the vehicle. In most instances, the driver is a volunteer member of the group.

Carpooling is not only flexible and economical but also helps reduce air pollution, traffic congestion and consumption of non-renewable energy resources.