Please comment on carpooling! or traffic. what are your solutions??

Question

http://www.ecoworld.com/blog/editor/muhawi/

I just wrote an article for this site and would love to hear comments about YOUR solutions to the issue. This website is directed at people all over the world and focuses on ecological issues and technology. I wanted to write about traffic..because it is ruining my life!!! please comment...anything would be appreciated =)

Answer 1

My preferred solution would be to telecommute. I have a job that could easily be done from home several days a week. In the past, I worked a similar job from home 100%. But current employer won't authorize telecommuting. Too bad. I guess the main solution I would offer is to induce employers to create and implement telecommuting programs. (And  telecommuting brings its own set of issues. Of course, so do car pooling programs.)

Car pooling is almost impossible for me. Even my husband and I would have difficulty car pooling because of our family obligations. Among the people I know, family obligations are the primary stumbling block to car pooling. We are all coming from different parts of the city, and our families have different needs and schedules. Not to mention, our employers need us to be available to work early, work late, etc.

Answer 2

I walk to work and bike to the gym - the only place i drive is the grocery store - and thatI do in the middle of the night when no one is out - I work nights, so I do this on my nights off!!

Answer 3

If people want to carpool, they should be free to do so, but there are many people who can't or won't carpool. Some work irregular hours, and some just do not want to give up the privacy and convenience of driving alone!

I know that I am not willing to give up my privacy and ride with others. I want to be able to stay late if I need to, or to leave early if there is a chance. I also want the freedom to listen to what I want on the radio, and to stop and run errands on the way home!

Some people enjoy the company on their commute, or consider the savings in fuel costs to be worth the sacrifice! I am not one of those people. I would rather drive alone that carpool or take any type of public transportation.  I am willing to pay the cost to do so!

I do not agree with special car pool lanes. My taxes pay for the roads as much as others do(if not more) ,  and I do not see any reason to give carpoolers any special benefits!

Answer 4

I don't carpool for several reasons.

1) I didn't buy my car to decorate my driveway.

2) There is no carpool service near where I live. To get to one is roughly 1/2 way to work so what's the point.

3) I love driving. ..but I still hate heavy traffic.

4) Unexpected travel from my office to corporate headquarters. ...and I don't have authorization to drive a company vehicle which are actually needed by other employees to pick up/deliver parts to technicians in the field.

5) Freedom to arrive early/stay late as needed by my employer.

6) Run errands on the way home.

Your 3 hour commute...unacceptable. Instead of quitting I would have tried different routes first. The interstate isn't always the fastest way across town.