Aug 26, 2008 7:27 pm US/Eastern
Carpoolers Use The Net To Save On Transportation
About 135 million people hit the road for their daily commute. But with gas prices so high, more people are now using the information super-highway to help cut costs.
Robert Gilliland racks up 130 miles a day driving to and from work. By the end of the week, both his tank and his wallet are running on empty.
"It was costing me approximately $120 a week in gas," Gilliland told CBS 2.
Frustrated by rising prices, Gilliland went in search of an alternative and found a new wave of carpoolers online called "cyber hitchhikers."
"The first rider I connected with was Brian and that was through Craigslist. My second rider, Mike, found him through Erideshare.com," he said.
Commuting sites like Erideshare, GoLoco, and RideSearch say business is now booming. Traffic tracker Alan Pisarski says "sticker shock" is the driving force.
"When they see they are paying $80 to fill the tank of their car they really should feel like they have to do something," he says.
Here's how it works: If you need a lift or are looking for a passenger, you post your request on one of the various sites. Once a match is made, prospective partners can stay anonymous until you ask for references, get a copy a photo ID, and meet at a public place before hitting the carpool lane.
"They have a way of kind of connecting and being comfortable with uh, with their fellow riders," said Pisarski.
Gilliland and his ride-sharing buddies say they've connected in more ways than one.
"The experience has been great. I found someone who lives really close to me and we really hit it off well," said Brian McKenzie.
Whether traveling back-and-forth to work or just needing a lift somewhere, the service is free. But once the trip begins, the passenger is charged for his or her share of the traveling costs.
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