Traffic congestion is a daily challenge on Oʻahu, especially during peak hours now that schools are back in session. Fortunately, carpooling and ridesharing offer      a convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly way to reduce the number of cars on the road. Whether you’re a visitor looking to explore or a local heading to work or school, carpooling and ridesharing can make getting around easier.

 

What are carpooling and ridesharing?

Carpooling involves people, from coworkers to neighbors, who commute together in one car and share the cost of driving. It allows for a flexible, eco-friendly commute that can be adapted to almost any schedule and is especially helpful for riders in rural communities with less access to public transport or other transport means.

 

Ridesharing connects drivers and passengers who are headed in the same direction. While platforms like Uber and Lyft are known for offering on-demand, private rides, they also have discounted ridesharing options that allow multiple passengers to share a ride together to their different destinations, offering easy and environmentally-friendly access to urban areas.

 

Why Carpool and Rideshare?

  • HOV and Zipper Lane Access – Carpooling qualifies you to use the HOV and Zipper lanes on freeways during weekdays from 5:30-9:00 a.m. – a great way to beat the morning rush.
  • Convenience and Flexibility – Sharing rides and decreasing the number of cars on the road means less hunting for parking, especially in high-traffic areas.
  • Environmental Benefits – Fewer cars on the road means less traffic and less pollution on the roadway, which keeps our storm drains, waterways, and ocean cleaner.
  • Save on Parking Costs – Parking fees add up. Ridesharing can save you time and money, especially for hotel guests or those heading into busy areas.

 

How to Carpool:

  1. Find potential carpoolers: Connect with people in your area who are interested in carpooling and have similar schedules and traveling needs. There are programs and apps that can help with your search. For example, the Department of Transportation’s HIRideshare program helps residents create or join free carpools by matching enrolled drivers based on similar routes and schedules, and Commute with Enterprise offers a similar matching service. Additionally, UH Mānoa Students can organize shared rides through the university and for other students, the Department of Education is launching a pilot program this year with GoKid to help families organize carpools.
  2. Establish the Schedule: Decide details such as who will be driving and when, what days you’ll be carpooling, how you’ll communicate, and how costs will be shared.
  3. Ensure Carpool Drivers Are Prepared: All drivers should have adequate car insurance and perform regular vehicle maintenance to avoid breakdowns and accidents.
  4. Be Prompt and Considerate: Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, all carpool participants should be on time and considerate of the other riders.

 

How to Rideshare:

  1. Download the Apps: Certain ridesharing apps, like Uber and Lyft, offer “carpooling” options, where you’ll share your ride with other passengers along your route. Make sure to select UberX Share and Lyft Shared when booking your ride. As a bonus, you’ll also enjoy discounted ride rates!
  2. Know Your Location: Rides are more available and affordable in areas like Waikīkī than in remote spots like the North Shore or Mākaha. Rideshare may also only be available in certain urban areas.
  3. Plan Ahead: Decide your pick-up time and destination, and consider that shared rides are typically limited to one seat per rider. If you are part of a larger group, choose alternate travel options such as public transportation.
  4. Watch for Surge Pricing: Fares can change quickly depending on demand and driver availability. Booking outside of peak hours can help save money. Ridesharing can also offset surge pricing costs by providing discounted rides.
  5. Confirm and Track: Once your ride is booked, track the driver’s location in the app.
  6. Verify Driver Details: Before getting in, check the driver’s name, profile photo, car model, and license plate to match your confirmed ride.

 

Carpooling and ridesharing can reduce the number of cars on the road and save you time and money along the way, while also keeping vehicular pollution out of our storm drains, waterways, and ocean. Share a ride to mālama i ka wai!

 

Sources: HIRideShare, Commute with Enterprise, The Carpooler’s Survival Guide, Lyft Shared, UberX Share