As we celebrate Sustainable Transportation Month, it’s the perfect time to try carpooling as a faster and more cost-effective way to get to campus. You'll spend less time in traffic by using the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, and save money by sharing the cost of gas and a discounted carpool permit. Just by switching to a two-person carpool permit, each individual can save over $500 per year compared to the cost of a regular permit!
Here are some tips to ensure a smooth carpooling experience:
Find a Carpool Buddy
We make it easy to find a carpool buddy with the UCLA Trip Planner. Just enter your starting point and destination to find other Bruins commuting from the same area. You can even form your own carpool for others to join!
Make a Plan and Put It in Writing
There are many details to work out when forming a carpool, such as who drives and how often, pickup and drop-off times and locations, sharing vehicle expenses, and more. It's best to put it all in writing and give everyone a copy to avoid any misunderstandings.
Be Mindful of Carpool Etiquette
When riding in a carpool, it’s important to treat everyone with respect. This means being considerate of carpool etiquette, such as keeping the car clean, informing others of any delays, respecting people’s audio preferences, and avoiding any conversations that could lead to conflict.
Get a Guaranteed Ride Home
Does your carpool driver need to work late? Or maybe they got sick and had to leave early? You can still get back home thanks to the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) program. In the case of an emergency, UCLA employees who use sustainable transportation such as carpooling can get reimbursed for a ride home up to two times per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Learn more about the program including what qualifies as a valid GRH emergency.
Ready to try carpooling? Then take our sustainable transportation pledge for the chance to win a great prize such as a gift card to Target or AMC Theatres, or even UCLA Football tickets!
