How to ride-share in Queenstown
The congestion on our roads (and the stress that comes with it) is not going away in a hurry. However, if our community can share rides with greater regularity, we’ll reduce the traffic, pollution, and long waits currently plaguing some of our suburbs.
Carpooling shouldn’t be a chore! You should be able to get on the QTown Carpool Facebook page and, with a bit of initial planning and ongoing clear communication, quickly get on the road with new friends and less commuting stress.
Three key things a carpool needs to be:
A good carpool is one where everyone knows they’re in on the ride together.
- It should be flexible: You’ll need to sort out the regularity early and manage it to suit everyone. This might mean it will be three days a week, once a week or twice a month – it all depends on what the ‘pool is prepared for. This also goes for the vehicle too. Driving one car or alternating drivers for trips should be decided early on too.
- It should be fair. Don’t take advantage of a passenger or driver’s generosity. It’s not a taxi, and nor is it a free ride. Rather, a good carpool will be fair for all, with passengers paying based on expenses (fuel, maintenance, and parking) and drivers understanding they need to be on time and ready to go on the days they are responsible for getting people from A to B.
- It should be fast. Unless everyone is absolutely 100% keen and prepared to stop for coffee or snacks on the way, there should be no stopping. The commute is designed to get everyone to and from work or school – not sightseeing or running chores.
How to craft your carpool:
- Create a schedule. A good schedule will help your group avoid confusion. Share it by Messenger, or WhatsApp, or email, calendar, or carrier pigeon if you really must. It doesn’t matter how – just give everyone involved plenty of warning as to what ride is going where and when.
- Agree on pick-up locations and times. The driver can decide where is best for pick-up and drop-off, be it at the homes of passengers or at some convenient central point.
- Set the rules early (and try to stick to them). Establish the expectations around payment (whether it’s weekly or monthly) and decide how long the car will wait during pick-up (if it’s more than 5 minutes the passenger should lose out). It will also help to sort out the little and potentially annoying things early too if necessary. That’s stuff like radio use, smoking or vaping, overwhelming scents, seating arrangements.
- Stay in touch. Make sure there’s a back-up plan if things go wrong and keep everyone in the loop in case someone gets sick (or the car breaks down).
- Walk (or drive) away if it’s not working out. Everything won’t always work out! Sometimes schedules, personalities or musical tastes will clash. Be honest with those you are travelling with. Perhaps follow the a-hole rule here (Meet an a-hole in the morning, you’ve met an a-hole. Meet a-holes all day every day, perhaps you’re the a-hole). Don’t take it personally if others move on – just get back on the page and organise something else.
Ready to carpool? Then click here to connect and conquer Queenstown’s commute.