Rideshare

Sharing your ride to work can help you reduce costs, commuting time, and stress. Identify the best rideshare option for you, then use our tools and tips to find rideshare partners and learn how you can earn rewards for every trip you take!

Benefits of Ridesharing

Saving Money

You can slash commuting costs by 50% or more by sharing fuel, toll, and parking expenses with fellow riders. The more riders you have in your group, the more you save.

Saving Time

Commuters in multi-passenger vehicles can save time by using high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes during rush hour. When traveling in a vehicle with three or more riders, you can save time and money by accessing Virginia’s Express Lanes toll-free.

Reducing Air Pollution

Ridesharing reduces the number of vehicles on the road each day. Your choice to not drive alone helps reduce carbon emissions that contribute to pollution and climate change.

Reducing Stress

On days when you are not the driver, you can use your commute time to read, rest, check social media, or catch up on work.

Carpool/Vanpool

Carpool

Carpooling, the most common form of ridesharing, is an arrangement in which two or more commuters ride together in a privately owned vehicle on an ongoing basis. 

Vanpool

A vanpool is a group of five to 15 people who rent or lease a van. One or more people in the group are designated as drivers. Every rider pays a monthly fee based on costs. The vanpool company provides insurance, vehicle maintenance and repairs, and a backup vehicle if the leased vehicle becomes unavailable. Contact us to learn more about the ConnectingVA Vanpool Program.

App & Ride Home Program

Find Rides. Earn Rewards.

Improve your commute and your leisure time! Get the rider rewards app for your region to find transit options and rideshare partners for commutes by train, bus, carpool, vanpool, and bike. Log your trips and telework days to earn discounts for dining, shopping, leisure activities, services, and more.

Download the App

Guaranteed Ride Home

If you commute by bus, rail, carpool, or vanpool, you can join a program that provides a free ride to your home or parked car when you need to leave work earlier or later than usual because of an emergency, illness, or unscheduled overtime. Some restrictions apply. Sign up for a ride-home program in the Northern Virginia, Richmond, or Hampton Roads regions. For all other areas, contact your local commuter assistance program.

Tips

Ridesharing Tips

Check With Your Workplace

Some companies offer to match you with co-workers who are interested in ridesharing or who are looking to add someone to their group. They may also offer ridesharing incentives.

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Know Your Schedule

Before committing to a carpool or vanpool, be realistic about what time you can leave for work and what time you can leave the office for home. Make sure everyone’s schedules are in sync.

rule book

Establish Ground Rules

Establish a common understanding regarding matters such as conversation, smoking, eating, and music during the rides. Also decide how long the group should wait for someone who is late.

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Determine Cost-Sharing Arrangements

If sharing commuting costs, decide which expenses are included, who will track them, and how and when payments will be made. Alternatively, you could opt for an arrangement in which driving is rotated equally among carpool members and each driver covers expenses when they drive.

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Develop a Driver Plan

There can be flexibility, but it’s best to map out the specific days, weeks, or months when each carpool member will drive. Designate an alternate driver in case of illness, emergency, or problems with the driver’s vehicle.

Share Contact Information

Everyone in the group needs to be able to reach the other group members quickly if their plans change or they have an emergency. Be sure to exchange phone numbers.

Learn How to Plan Your Trip

Learn How to Plan Your Trip Today

The ConnectingVA app makes it easy to find your ride and earn rewards for using rail and other public transit.