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By carpooling or vanpooling, you will save money by
reducing your vehicle fuel and maintenance expenses
and contribute to reducing traffic congestion and
air pollution.
Ever wonder how much
it really costs you to commute?
A simple method to estimate your commuting costs is
to use 34.5 cents per mile. If you have a daily 20
mile one-way commute, your commuting costs may be
as much as $3,600.00 per year. Carpool with one other
person and you will cut your costs in half.
You can meet your carpool or
vanpool at one of Howard County's conveniently located
Park and Ride lots.
Carpooling is a simple and effective way to decrease
your commuting expense. Simply share driving responsibility
with one or more fellow commuters or have a passenger
reimburse you for some of your expenses and you have
a carpool. You may be able to take advantage of preferential
parking at your workplace as well.
Even if you carpool just a few days per week, you
will decrease your fuel and maintenance expenses,
reduce wear and tear on your car and save on parking
expenses. You may also save on your automobile insurance.
Find a Carpool?
Click here
to complete a rideshare application and receive a
personalized list of other commuters interested in
sharing a ride.
Vanpooling works well for individuals who commute
long distances. An employer can also provide vanpoolers
with as much as $100 each month in tax-free transportation
benefits.
A vanpool may be operated by the owner of the van,
leased from a third party leasing company or be provided
by an employer. In most cases the driver rides free.
You may also take advantage of tax-free commuter
benefits from your employer by using vanpools. Commuters
to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area can participate
in the MetroChek
program and commuters to the Baltimore area may
participate in the Transit
Plus program.
Commuters to the Washington, D.C. area may also be
eligible to participate in a Guaranteed
Ride Home program to return home in emergency
situations such as illness and unscheduled overtime.
Find a Vanpool?
Click here for
a list of vanpools to and from Howard County or click here to
complete a rideshare application.
What happens when I complete a Rideshare Application?
We enter the information you provide into our regional
database. We then match you with others who have similar
commuting patterns and send you a personalized match
list within a few days.
How do I use this information to start or join
a carpool or vanpool?
The list will provide you with contact names
and telephone numbers. You can then begin contacting
the individuals on your list to locate the most appropriate
match(es).
Will other people get information about me?
All information you provide is used for rideshare
matching purposes only. Other rideshare applicants
will receive your name, telephone number, work address
and work hours if their home, work location and hours
are similar to yours. Park
& Ride sites and neighborhood names are typically
used as starting locations unless you specify your
home address as the start point.
How long will my name remain in the database?
Commuter Solutions staff will follow-up with
you shortly after your match list is sent and again
approximately six months later to determine your interest
in remaining in the database. You may contact us at
any time to have your name deleted from the database.
How can I get more information about carpooling,
vanpooling or public transit?
You may contact Commuter Solutions anytime
with questions. Information and assistance is available
via telephone from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through
Friday by calling 410-313-3130. From D.C., call toll
free 301-621-4300 then dial 410-313-3130.
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