What is Share-A-Ride?
The Share-A-Ride program isn't just about carpooling—it is a free service that could potentially match you with convenient transit services, vanpool groups, and even walking and bicycling opportunities if you live or work in the five-county southeastern Pennsylvania region.
What is a carpool?
A carpool is considered to be a car carrying two to four people. Carpools are usually proposed for those employees living in areas where few other employees live or where transit is not available. Arrangements can be made for one employee to handle the driving or for all pool participants to share the responsibilities. Cost varies per the arrangement and the number of riders involved.
What is a vanpool?
Vanpools are vans or vehicles which can hold 6 to 15 people. This option can be considered for employees who are clustered in one specific area, where use of a larger vehicle is more efficient than the use of multiple cars. These services can be arranged through a third-party vanpool provider with little or no company involvement, or they can be handled with company-provided or employee-owned vehicles. Costs are divided among the pool members, with drivers usually allowed limited use of the vehicle outside commuting times.
What if I am near public transportation but want to carpool?
The program will list all your options. However, the Share-A-Ride program will suggest use of public transit whenever it is convenient to employees near bus, train, subway, or trolley lines. Contact your local transit provider for information on fares and schedules.
Who is responsible for setting up carpools/vanpools?
The Share-A-Ride program works to match commuters with others who have the same travel patterns and similar work day hours. A match list is provided, but it is the responsibility of the commuter to arrange a car or vanpool and to determine pickup/drop-off times, locations, and costs. When employers use Share-A-Ride to match their employees as a group, either a company representative or their TripSmart PA contact can facilitate the organization of pools.
How much will this service cost?
One of the most attractive features about the Share-A-Ride program is that the matching services are free! DVRPC can offer these matching services at no charge through support from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
How soon will I receive information about a ride match?
You should receive your match information immediately after you register and enter your information. If there are not any matches when you first sign up, you will be alerted when a new applicant could be a potential match. You can also turn off the match function if you are already part of a vanpool or carpool that is full.
What happens if I have an emergency and need a ride?
In the event of an unexpected personal or family emergency or illness, unscheduled overtime, or if the regular carpool or vanpool ride is not available for certain reasons, registered commuters are reimbursed for their extra ride to home, their car or to the place of the emergency. Learn more about the Emergency Ride Home (ERH).
Are there other programs like this outside of the region?
There are several programs available across Pennsylvania and in southern New Jersey and Delaware:
Greater Pittsburgh Area: Commuteinfo.org
In and around State College: CATA
Greater Susquehanna Valley: Commuter Services of Pennsylvania
Union Snyder-Counties: USTA Commute
Central New Jersey: Greater Mercer TMA