Carpooling is one of the simplest things you can do to make your daily commute less expensive, more environmentally friendly and more social.  Did you know…

• You can cut the cost of your commute in half if you share driving duties with just one other person?
• Carpooling makes you eligible to use carpool lanes, which save commuters an average of 36 minutes each day?
• Every carpool takes one or more cars off the road, resulting in less traffic congestion and cleaner air?
• You don’t have to carpool every day to make a difference?

Do you have a friend, family member or coworker who lives and works near you?  Do you have similar schedules? Consider starting a carpool.  Riding with someone you know can take away some of the uncertainty of carpooling to and from work.

Having trouble finding someone to carpool with?  Visit Go511.com, Southern California's largest commuter database, and you’ll receive an instant list of potential carpool partners. Your carpool matches will include people who live and work near you and have similar schedules. It's free and only takes a few minutes to register.  You'll need to provide contact information so that potential carpool partners can reach you but your home address and other personal information are never released.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) offers a number of services to commuters on its website at www.octa.net/commuters2011.aspx. These include:

• Rideshare assistance.  OCTA is part of Southern California’s largest commuter database.  When you register, you’ll be matched with potential carpool or vanpool partners.  Call 714-636-RIDE (7433) or visit CommuteSmart.info to get started.
• Trip planning assistance.  When you register with OCTA, you’ll receive a personalized RideGuide Commute Planner to help you identify travel alternatives that fit your commute.
• Transportation guides.  OCTA provides public transit maps and schedules, bike maps and other commute information for Orange County on their website at www.octa.net/STR2011.aspx.