Campus carpool program debuts
Corey Cole
Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The University of Maine began a new project on Sept. 1 that will help reduce air pollution from car exhaust. One part of the project is the Staff Carpooling Program. Major Alan Stormann heads the program. The benefits of participating in a carpool include a free parking pass, a guaranteed parking spot and free emergency rides home.
To create a carpool, people must sign up at GoMaine.org. There, each user enters their information into a database. Then, a computer matches potential carpool members. Users can communicate between one another to work out the details of the carpool.
Each group designates a Coordinator. After everything is settled, the Coordinator brings a complete application (found at http://www.umaine.edu/parking/carpooling.html) to 523 DTAV, Community Center. There, the Coordinator is given the free permit and also chooses which lot the carpool will park in (any commuter/staff lot). Then, Stormann picks the spot where the carpool will park. Stormann's slogan is "You pick the Lot, I'll pick the spot." He said he picks the spot to ensure it won't conflict with snowplowing.
Another benefit of the program is that the program provides free rides for passengers if for some reason the driver becomes unavailable. For any member who is within 20 miles of the school, a taxi will be called. If they are going more than 20 miles, a rent-a-car will be delivered to the person on campus.
The carpool program is currently only available for staff members. This first year is a trial run. Stormann said that at the end of the school year a meeting will be held to discuss the program and a possible expansion of it to include other people as well. As of this time, approximately 20 people are a part of the program, but Stormann said they are getting calls about it daily.
More details about the program can be found at http://www.umaine.edu/parking.
To create a carpool, people must sign up at GoMaine.org. There, each user enters their information into a database. Then, a computer matches potential carpool members. Users can communicate between one another to work out the details of the carpool.
Each group designates a Coordinator. After everything is settled, the Coordinator brings a complete application (found at http://www.umaine.edu/parking/carpooling.html) to 523 DTAV, Community Center. There, the Coordinator is given the free permit and also chooses which lot the carpool will park in (any commuter/staff lot). Then, Stormann picks the spot where the carpool will park. Stormann's slogan is "You pick the Lot, I'll pick the spot." He said he picks the spot to ensure it won't conflict with snowplowing.
Another benefit of the program is that the program provides free rides for passengers if for some reason the driver becomes unavailable. For any member who is within 20 miles of the school, a taxi will be called. If they are going more than 20 miles, a rent-a-car will be delivered to the person on campus.
The carpool program is currently only available for staff members. This first year is a trial run. Stormann said that at the end of the school year a meeting will be held to discuss the program and a possible expansion of it to include other people as well. As of this time, approximately 20 people are a part of the program, but Stormann said they are getting calls about it daily.
More details about the program can be found at http://www.umaine.edu/parking.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jenny
posted 9/17/07 @ 4:43 PM EST
I never carpool or rideshare without using GishiGo. It is very easy and helps filter out the social network freaks. Filter out the "anonymous creeps" using the PayPal identity exchange! Much nicer. (Continued…)
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