Carpooling is an arrangement between two or more people to share a ride to and/or from work or school on an ongoing basis.
What are the benefits?
Carpooling provides people with a way to reduce costs and stress of commuting and in most cases allows drivers to make extra cash and reduce commutes by utilizing HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes to get to where you’re going faster. It is also a simple way for individuals to reduce their emissions while saving money, reducing congestion and conserving energy along the way.
Starting a carpool
We encourage you to communicate with your co-workers and fellow students to see if there is an opportunity to carpool with peers in your immediate area.
Resources for setting up a carpool:
Here are a few resources to help set up a carpool for your workplace or class.
Sign-up sheets:
Download the carpool sign-up template (doc) to help coordinate carpools. Identify who already drives to campus and who may have space in their vehicle, as well as potential pick-up/drop-off times and locations. You can use this information to create carpool groups and establish a driving schedule.
Logistics and compensation:
Talk to potential carpoolers to discuss logistics. Identify if there are any allergies or special circumstances that need to be considered. Regarding compensation—this will be different for everyone, but a toonie each way could go a long way for the driver if they fill their cars.
Digital tools:
If you don’t know of anyone to start a carpool with, there are digital tools that can assist you in finding passengers or drivers in your area.
- Poparide* is an app that allows you to find and pay/receive money for ride shares.
- Smart Commute Tool lets you explore and compare your travel options, including finding partners to carpool with.
*Please note that Poparide is a third-party company and is not endorsed by Mohawk College.
Parking pass splitting for carpoolers
Parking pass splitting is available and applies to all parking spaces at Fennell and Stoney Creek campuses.
How it works
- Share your parking permit with up to three others by adding additional license plate numbers to the permit. A total of four license plates can be added to a single permit.
- Only one registered vehicle may use the permit to park on campus at any one time.
- If you need your own vehicle on campus occasionally, you can pay the daily rate. You will still save money if this happens infrequently.
I already bought a parking permit. Can I return it?
Yes, parking passes can always be returned. You will receive a pro-rated refund based on the number of weeks remaining on the pass.
Visit the Parking and ONE card office for more information, or call Parking Services at 905-575-2121.
Emergency Ride Home
Smart Commute workplace employees can get reimbursed (up to $75) for emergency transportation costs. If you run into an emergency, arrange & pay for transportation - taxi, transit and/or rental car. Be sure to retain all transportation receipts. We’ll get you home! To submit a claim, email smartcommute [at] hamilton.ca (smartcommute[at]hamilton[dot]ca)