University Wire
01-09-2008
(The Poly Post) (UWIRE) POMONA, Calif. -- A company dedicated to making rideshares easy takes a step forward in connecting Facebook users through a new application called Carpool.
Although barely introduced during the summer, over 10,000 rides were posted within four months, according to a press release from the application creator, Zimride.
"[Carpooling] is the smart thing to do for everybody," said Donna Pearson, administrative support assistant for rideshare at Cal Poly Pomona. "We have to reduce dependency on foreign oil and the fastest way is to share the ride."
The new Facebook application makes it convenient for students to find a carpool buddy. It allows users to carpool on a one-way trip, an everyday drive, or even a ride to a social event. With the utilization of Google maps, Carpool finds students traveling on the same path.
"Facebook is more visually appealing," said Pearson, as she viewed the Carpool application Web page. "We [Cal Poly] might have to add that feature [to our Web page]."
Students interested in carpooling must add the application to their Facebook account.Following this, users are able to search and request rides from others. However, if someone doesn't have the application, they are still able to find a lift. When a user posts a ride on Carpool, it appears on the Facebook news feed and is viewable in that user's network.
Some students are skeptical of hitching rides with strangers.
"It's a good idea that will never work," said Christopher Peers, fourth-year business student.
Logan Green, the creator of the carpool application and a former student at UC Santa Barbara, had trouble finding rides to Los Angeles, where his girlfriend resided.
He used the carpool application on Craigslist.org, but felt uneasy about the rides because he took rides from complete strangers.
This is where Facebook came into play. Facebook began allowing other developers to create applications, so a group of students united to make carpooling more successful. Some students were concerned about environmental factors, while others consider the expenses of transportation.
"Our mission is to reduce the barriers to a mainstream ride-sharing culture, so everyone can find ride-sharing partners in an easy and safe way," said the Facebook's Carpool application Web site.
Therefore, with the help of Zimride.com and GoLoco.org, Facebook's carpool application has become a success. Carpool creators believe this is a safe route to take because one is able to see another's profile before carpooling with them.People also have the option to accept or decline the ride, or users also have the option to take rides exclusively from people at their school.
"[The Facebook application is] great but you have got to be cautious about what you're doing on the Internet and who you're interacting with," said David Flores, rideshare coordinator for Cal Poly. "It's a form of hitchhiking on the Internet."
Flores and Pearson recommend Cal Poly students to use the school's match list for finding a rideshare partner.They are also willing to assist students in planning trips using alternative transportation, such as the Metrolink, carpool, or vanpool.
"My Web site is for Cal Poly students only," said Pearson."I feel good about that."
If students choose to use Facebook's Carpool application, Flores recommends they get additional information about their carpooling partner through e-mail, and they should also meet in a mutual place.
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(C) 2008 The Poly Post via UWIRE
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