Carpooling — Step 3: Make sure what's fare is fair.

Easy Steps to Carpooling

Step 1
Round up your partners

Step 2
Who's got the wheel?

Step 3
Make sure what's fare is fair.

Step 4
Whose idea was it to bring the yodeling tape?

Other Benefits

Print out this sign to post on your bulletin board:
Carpoolers Wanted

Make sure what's fare is fair.

If each person in the carpool takes a turn at driving, then there's no need to charge. If only one person drives, however, you'll want to charge each rider a reasonable fare. Here's one way to do it:

Carpool roundtrip mileage X Cost per mile ÷ Number of carpoolers = Daily Fare per Rider

(Operating costs average about 15 cents** per mile for gas, oil, maintenance and tires. This does not include ownership costs such as insurance, licensing and depreciation.
**Source: AAA, "Your Driving Costs," 2006 edition.)

You may also want to include any parking costs you might have.

Updated: May 8, 2008