FAQ's
On this page you can read commonly asked questions. If this resource does not help you or you have a problem activating your account, please let us know on info@thecarpool.com.au
1. What is a Car Pool?2. What is a SchoolPool?
3. What is a Trip?
4. Is this service totally free?
5. Why should I carpool or ride share?
6. Are my details kept confidential?
7. I don't have a car. Can I still use this site?
8. What do I say when I contact potential carpool partners?
9. What if there is no car pool in my area?
10. What if I need my car during the day?
11. How can I use this service with my erratic schedule?
12. If I drive or ride in a carpool, will I be adequately covered by my insurance in case of an accident?
13. How do I turn off automatic notifications?
14. Is Car Pooling and Ride Sharing safe?
15. Isn't it risky to ride with strangers?
16. What can I do to help my new carpool succeed?
17. How do we decide who drives?
18. How does the CarPool automatic matching work?
19. How are the pools updated?
20. I can’t find a CarPool, SchoolPool or Trip going to my destination, can I search for more?
This great, new site has just gone live!
Register now, and create a CarPool, SchoolPool or Trip!! Or just register and wait to be automatically notified of a pool or trip in your area.
The more people that register - the greater cost savings you can make!
1. What is a CarPool?
A CarPool is simply a method of travel where people combine and use a single resource (a car) with other people who live in their general area and are travelling in the same vicinity. You are able to enjoy the same conveniences as driving your own car, and save money in the process. E.G. People driving to and from work on a daily basis.
Or simply to find a convenient method of transport (carpool) going in your direction even if you do not own a vehicle.
2. What is a SchoolPool?
A SchoolPool is a method of travel similar to the CarPool where parents combine and use a single resource (a car) with other parents to take their children to and from school on a daily basis, thus leaving more time for the parents to enjoy other things and saving money in the process.
It will also find a convenient method of getting your children to school even if you do not own a car
3. What is a Trip?
A Trip is a method of travel where people travelling around our country can advertise that they will be driving from one point to another, and wish to have a passenger(s), who will reduce the costs. This could also speed their trip up as the other passengers can share the driving. This is useful to backpackers who wish to get around, and those who are driving to specific destinations for concerts, conventions or just a plain old holiday.
Or in finding a convenient method of transport (Trip) going to your destination even if you do not have a car. Great for Back Packers!
4. Is this service totally free?
Put simply, Yes - The complete site is totally free for all members wishing to take advantage of the sites functionality i.e. CarPool, SchoolPool & Trip options or to browse other areas and use some of the other features.
5. Why should I carpool or ride share?
When you carpool, everybody benefits. You'll save up to thousands of dollars a year on fuel, car maintenance and wear and tear--and you won't have to deal with the stress of fighting traffic every day. Of course, you're also doing your part to help ease traffic, reduce smog and cut fuel-use. It can also be a great way to meet new friends!
6. Are my details kept confidential?
Yes - All information is kept totally confidential. When someone wants to contact you regarding a Pool or Trip, then the system will send you an email with his or her email address. It's then up the driver to respond to the initial contact and forward further contact details.
7. I don't have a car. Can I still use this site?
Yes just search the relevant pools or trip, find the suitable pool or trip and contact the owner. However you must be logged in to contact an owner of a pool or trip. If you are not a member you will be asked to sign up and become a member before you can contact any pool or trip owner, remember its Free. Once contact has been made you can chip in for fuel and costs in exchange for a ride or find one that lets you ride for a reduced fee if you help drive (at owners discretion). Keep in mind if you commute 20 or more kilometres one way, joining a larger carpool may be an affordable option.
8. What do I say when I contact potential carpool partners?
Simply explain why you are emailing and ask to meet the other person for coffee or lunch to iron out the details. At that time, you can determine whether you're suited to CarPool, SchoolPool or Trip together and decide on the rules.
9. What if there is no car pool in my area?
Just simply register your details and you will be automatically notified when a CarPool, SchoolPool or Trip becomes available in your area.
10. What if I need my car during the day?
Develop a plan with your fellow travellers. Are all of you willing to lend the car out if needed in case of emergency? Are you willing to drive each other home? Co-workers can often be called on to help in a crisis, or you may consider having a back-up bus itinerary handy. Also, ask your employer if your company offers a program that guarantees a ride home in case of emergency or unexpected overtime.
11. How can I use this service with my erratic schedule?
If your schedule often varies, consider carpooling regularly once or twice a week, instead of every day or use multiple pools as some may be going your way and have a vacancy. If using multiple pools ensure that the owner is aware of your arrangements and is not stood up on those days you do not travel with them e.g. every Thursday with Pool A and the rest with Pool B.
12. If I drive or ride in a carpool, will I be adequately covered by my insurance in case of an accident?
Make sure if you are the owner of the Pool or Trip that your insurance covers passengers or if you are a passenger query your driver and insurance company that you will be covered when travelling with someone else with a valid licence. You need to inform your insurance agent that you are carpooling or ride sharing. Although your insurance rates should not increase as the result of entering into a carpool arrangement, it is always wise to know you are adequately covered. In fact, your insurance rates may decrease if you are a carpool rider or driving is shared.
13. How do I turn off automatic notifications?
Log in with your CarPool account and select Edit My Details. The notification section is at the bottom of the menu.
14. Is Car Pooling and Ride Sharing safe?
Safety always has to be a priority. Get the full contact details of the driver before the journey and let your family and friends know beforehand that you will be ride sharing. You could arrange to meet the driver beforehand in a common location with friends, to initially break the ice.
15. Isn't it risky to ride with strangers?
Always use your best judgment. Meet with your potential carpool partners before agreeing to ride together. If you decide to give the carpool a try, you may want to set up a probation period. That way, if you're not comfortable, you can easily bow out and find another carpool. There is absolutely no obligation to stay in a carpool that isn't working.
16. What can I do to help my new carpool succeed?
Once you've established initial arrangements and operating rules, set up a trial period to give the CarPool or SchoolPool a chance to work. If possible, a four-week period is ideal to get the carpool running smoothly. Check progress with carpool partners periodically during the trial period.
17. How do we decide who drives?
Is there someone in the group who likes to drive or may be willing to do the driving? Some people only want to ride and are willing to reimburse part of the costs, while others prefer to share the driving. If driving is shared, no money need be exchanged. Most carpool partners trade off driving each week. Whoever will be the driver(s) should make sure they have a safe vehicle and are willing to obey the rules of the road.
18. How does the CarPool automatic matching work?
When a new CarPool, SchoolPool or Trip is registered in your region, then you will be automatically notified if you have selected the option in you profile.
19. How are the pools updated?
When a pool owner has accepted or removed a person from the pool, then the pool owner must edit their pool to correctly reflect the number of seats still available.
20. I can’t find a CarPool, SchoolPool or Trip going to my destination, can I search for more?
As the site is still in it’s infancy, it may be easier to leave all the ‘From’ fields blank in the Search form and just fill in the 'To' fields. That way you will see all the people travelling to that destination and may be able to share with them.