Save maintenance hassles

The concept of car pooling is well-established in the West. At Mega Carpool we have customised it for the Indian context. We have an online platform, as well as SMS and IVR. We do not reveal any personal details of our members. There is a code, which is assigned to every member. All interaction between users is done using this code, and is routed through Carpool. There are several advantages of car-pooling. Small budget car commuters can really save money on maintenance.

--Rishin, CEO Mega Car Pool

HR teams should initiate pools

We do have an informal car-pooling network at our company. Staffers have a listing system which allows people living in the same locality to get together. I believe car pooling should be encouraged. It isn't just a question of saving money, it is also a question of doing your bit for the environment. I think people are still not aware of the concept or advantages of car pooling. The internet is a great medium to spread awareness.

--Satyajit, HR

It is one way to regulate traffic

Everyone should car pool. With the increase in Delhi’s traffic, it has become a necessity. I am an environment freak and car-pooling is one way in which one could also reduce pollution. I don't car-pool because of the odd hours I work. I get into the office really early but if I would have been working at the normal office going hours then I definitely would have taken people along with me. A whole lot of my listeners are avid car poolers which is a good sign for Delhi considering the traffic congestion and pollution.

--RJ Simran

We've pushed hard for taxi pooling

We were in favour of taxi-pooling in the early 1970s when fuel prices soared. We'd suggested that instead of increasing the fare, taxi pooling should be encouraged. It never took off in the face of some stiff opposition from the government. Today, we are faced with a similar situation with fuel prices rising. Instead of passing the increased costs to commuters, it would be better to taxi-pool. The rules need to be amended. Even without an official taxi-pooling system many commuters pair up and hire taxis.
--Al Quadros.Mumbai Taximen's Union

Our experience

Four of us colleagues would till two years ago drive down from Green Park to our office at the Cyber City, Gurgaon. It was a hateful drive for all of us. There was no knowing how long the journey would take anyway, given Delhi’s crazy traffic flow. It was boring, tedious, stressful and tiring. One day at lunch while we were discussing our plight, we figured how foolish we were to not car pool. From the very next day we car-pooled to work. It was a wonderful change.

We would chat all the way, switch the chore of driving between us on a weekly basis, and of course save on fuel. Six months ago we started using a dedicated King Long bus to get to work from Vasant Vihar. We still car pool to IIT from where the bus starts. You need to be a bunch of flexible people to car pool. For instance there are days when three of us have to wait for one who is working late. One of us may need to detour. One of us may be on a tour and miss our chance. All this we had to be good humoured about. Indians are way to egotistic to think on these terms.


--Shivam Sharma IT Professional