What is the RideShare carpool program?

RideShare is a free commuter matching service available to anyone who lives, works or attends school in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa or Nelson. Interested commuters who register with RideShare are sent a personalized match list of commuters who go the same direction at approximately the same time of day. There is no obligation to form or join a carpool. To register, call us at (434) 295-6165, or fill out our online registration form. Please note that RideShare does not sell, share, or trade the information you provide.

Why carpool?

Typically, you'll save hundreds of dollars a year in commuting expenses, including gas, oil changes, tires, repairs, and parking fees. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to read, study, work, or relax on the days you don't drive. You'll arrive at work better prepared to face the day.

Additionally, fewer cars on the road mean cleaner air, less congestion and less noise. By lowering the number of single occupant vehicles on the roads we conserve energy. We regain productive time now spent on congested roadways. The air is cleaner. We all benefit from a healthier, more pleasant environment.

Carpools are flexible

For example, you can carpool every day or just a couple days a week. One person might drive all the time, with the passengers contributing gas and parking money. Alternately, you can alternate days or weeks driving and not exchange money. Carpools can pick up their riders at their homes or everyone could meet at a convenient location, including any of the region's Park & Ride lots.

How does the program work?

When you register with RideShare, we ask for your starting location, your destination, and your work or school hours. We then compare your information against our database of interested commuters and look for others who are going the same way at approximately the same time as you.

We then send you a letter giving you the name and phone number of the commuters you matched, so that you may contact them and set up or join a carpool or vanpool. To help pave the way, we also let them know that they may be hearing from you.

If we don't find a match, we let you know that, too. But that's not the end of the story. New commuters sign up all the time and we regularly re-run our lists to look for new matches. So it's possible we could find a match for you later on.

What if there's an emergency and I need to leave early?

RideShare's Guaranteed Ride Home program makes sure you get to the places you need to in an emergency.

What if my boss asks me to work late, without notice?

Again, RideShare's Guaranteed Ride Home will get you home. So don't worry, you're covered.

What if I have errands I need to run?

Discuss schedule changes with the others in your group. You may be able to set your pick-up point close to a shopping center or bank to accommodate errands after work. Or, you may choose not to carpool on certain days. Remember, even if you carpool just twice a week, you're helping yourself and the community. Just be sure that everyone in your carpool knows the schedule.

What if I don't like my carpool situation?

Remember, carpools are voluntary. If you're joining an existing pool, ask what policies they have in place, and join on a trial basis (say for a week) before making a commitment. If you're starting a new carpool, set rules on food, music, temperature, etc., before you begin.