Car pooling

The New South Wales Government is pursuing a range of initiatives to reduce car dependency and improving air quality in accordance with its integrated transport plan, Action for Transport 2010. One such initiative is car pooling or ride sharing, particularly for journeys to work and where public transport is limited.

The Government supports car pooling because of the environmental and community benefits.

What is car pooling?

Car pooling is the sharing of rides in a private vehicle among two or more individuals. It involves the use of one person's private or company vehicle to carry one or more fellow passengers, either by using one car or rotating cars.

Benefits of car pooling

Benefits of car pooling for individuals:

• Reduced travelling expenses and need for second car.
• Improved travel times through use of transit lanes. 

Benefits of car pooling for the community:

• Reductions in vehicle emissions.
• Reductions in traffic volumes and congestion.
• Provides an alternative, cost effective travel choice.
• Improving the environment. 

Benefits for companies that arrange car pooling:

• Maximising use of employee parking.
• Encouraging sociability between your employees.
• Reducing stress in driving to work.
• Providing staff with a further benefit.
• Improving company image. 

Potential options for car pooling

1. With your friends and neighbours.
2. With your work colleagues.
3. Through your workplace. Talk to your employer about commencing a car pool scheme for your workplace. Maybe there are other work places around you that may also wish to join your scheme.
4. Through your University of TAFE - Talk to your university administration or student union about commencing a scheme for students.
5. Park and Ride. This has potential for car commuters who travel long distances to their workplace each day within Sydney metropolitan area to park and ride together, ie. Central Coast, Wollongong and Blue Mountains.