Comment by hbcondo714 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by hbcondo714 | Hacker News Reader

Carpooling works! but it is just one variable in the commute equation. Take my current route[1] in Southern CA where I just happen to have a co-worker live close to me. We drive together in her car for about 30 miles to work which starts with 20 minutes driving congested surface streets just to get on the freeway. We then need to transverse multiple lanes and freeways to get in the carpool lane which is also congested. About an hour later of stop and go traffic, we arrive at work. Due to different work and personal schedules, we may not leave work at the same time so she will leave with her car and I will take a lyft back home. That costs me $40 to $60 one-way and still involves waiting for the driver. Of course it doesn't help the freeways are under construction[2] but when completed, I'm hopeful things will improve.

[1] https://www.mapquest.com/directions/from/us/ca/90804/to/us/c...

[2] https://octa.net/Projects-and-Programs/Under-Construction/I-...

Yeah, this is a good point. What happens if you get stranded or something. I haven't figured that out. One solution might be to give you more suggestions of who lives nearby so that you could ask someone else if your ride falls through.

I actually have not solved the schedule problem either. Basically just telling you who passes who and let everyone figure it out. Maybe I'll add a quick schedule prompt or something for folks who work different hours (to filter on or something).

Thanks for the feedback.

Thanks for reviewing so quickly; this now reminds me of Waze's Carpool app[1] which includes scheduling. I tried to use it in addition to county carpool / vanpool[2] and Enterprise's service[3] but had no matches with riders who live in my area.

[1] https://www.waze.com/carpool/

[2] https://www.octa.net/Vanpool/Overview/

[3] https://www.commutewithenterprise.com/

Probably not super relevant outside of the Washington, DC area (although maybe other regions have it), but a multiple localities formed a general commuter support program and one of their benefits you can sign up for is up to 6 times per year a free "guaranteed ride home" if they regularly do not drive to work but have occasional times when they can't get home their normal method.[0]

0. https://www.commuterconnections.org/guaranteed-ride-home/

my company offers this incentive too. i think it's for anyone that bikes to work, or maybe carpools, but then for whatever reason can't get home. nice idea

Is this last minute pickup matching or would you need to arrange something the night before?

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