Ride share

Ride share, or car pooling as it's also known, is simply sharing a car instead of always driving your own. Car pooling reduces each passenger's transport costs, and means there are less cars on the road – and less polluting emissions.

You don't have to car-pool every day of the week. Every day makes a difference.

Organising a car pool

Use work notice boards or all-staff e-mails to find others that live in your area who are interested in car-pooling. You might also have friends or neighbours who travel in the same direction as you at around the same times. Ask around.

Tips for happy ride sharing

1. Be flexible. Make your arrangements work for everyone. You can arrange to car pool one day a week or fortnight if that suits the group.

2. Agree on some ground rules so everyone's happy. Things to think about include:

• radio on or off - what station(s)
• smoking or no smoking
• conversation
• mobile phones
• passengers reading or doing paperwork.

3. Make arrangements for sick days, leave or emergencies.

4. Be on time, whether driving or being picked up. If you can't make it, call in plenty of time so others can make alternative arrangements.

5. If you are driving, ensure there's lots of fuel in the tank and that your car is running well. No one wants extra stops on the way.

6. Don't make or request detours, like stopping for errands.

7. Agree in advance about sharing the driving, and fuel and parking costs.

8. And lastly, this one goes without saying: drive safely.

Note that car pooling is generally not covered by car insurance. Check with your insurer.