. But if petrol prices keep climbing, she doesn’t think she’d be able to afford to drive in without carpooling.
“It’s silly that I didn’t think about it [carpooling] beforehand,” she says. “But it does make sense financially as well as environmentally, and it’s for sure more prevalent in the last couple of weeks with fuel prices.
Where do I go to carpool?
The Carpoolin app created by Auckland-based entrepreneur Saveun Man
Supplied
There are social media groups for carpooling in local areas, apps dedicated to connecting carpoolers, or you can link up with co‑workers, neighbours, and gym buddies.
In the small town of Mōkau, on the boundary of Taranaki, Catherine Holyoake Taiapa helps her friends’ children by picking them up off on her way home from New Plymouth twice a week. She also offered on her local Facebook group to carpool twice a week with others going to town for a small koha, or to pick up groceries for fellow residents.
She notes that not everyone has good cell coverage or is digitally savvy, so sometimes “that good old-fashioned ‘get to know your neighbours’ stuff” works best.
For those in big centres, she says routine‑aligned groups – such as through sports practices or school drop-offs – can help people connect.
Man’s Carpoolin app also shows a map of nearby rides.
How do we split the costs?
Carpoolin users choose whether to charge or make rides free. (Man says he gets no commission, but there is a legal definition and regulation for carpooling to be aware of.)
“We want people to come together and kind of figure that out for themselves because there are so many variables that play into it,” Man says.
Kāpiti Coast-based Turnbull says she picks up two CBD workers and drops them off at an agreed place. Some on the Facebook group suggested dividing costs by kilometres, but her passengers pitch in for parking instead to make calculations easier.
“So I suppose obviously making sure that it’s incentive [to carpool] – that it’s a lot cheaper than [the train cost] – but still isn’t going to leave me out of pocket as well.”
Mōkau resident Catherine Holyoake Taiapa.
Supplied / Catherine Holyoake Taiapa
While Taiapa, who drives an EV, says she offered for a koha , others may appreciate help with fuel or parking.
“One of the [Mōkau Museum & Art Gallery] volunteers recalled in the past, the local school bus driver was happy to drop off and pick up scripts from the chemist for locals in his spare time. The school bus no longer leaves from Mōkau as Transit reduced coverage this year, but now others have offered to drive to do the same if people chip in for petrol.”
What’s the etiquette in a shared car?
Every driver’s preferences will differ – it’s best to be clear about any rules, habits or needs beforehand. (file image)
Unsplash / Eduardo Ramos
In Taiapa’s experience, it’s not awkward to keep the chat short and sweet for long rides. The kids like to put their headphones on and zone out.
After a few regular trips, usually the system is smooth sailing, she says.
“I’m kind of a set‑and‑forget kind of person. I like to have my routine so that I’m not juggling lots of different bits of information,” she says.
“Depending on your personality, it might feel like over‑communicating, but it reassures people each day to text them, ‘Okay, see you at our usual time.’ Even if it’s already set up, it just reassures people you haven’t forgotten.”
Turnbull adds open communication from the start is key.
“I sort of said in the initial message, ‘We do go in early. I’m happy to have the music down low, make sure it’s not a party bus first thing in the morning, and if you guys don’t want to talk too much, that’s also fine.’
“We had our first one on Tuesday just gone. Honestly, it was so easy. It was really, really nice just being able to chat, then I suppose when conversation was a bit quieter, it didn’t really feel awkward at all.”
Whether you want to stop by the dairy on the way home or pick up the kids from school or have a bite in the car, you’ll need to be open on preferences and ‘car rules’ – much in the same you’d do for things like couch surfing.
Carpoolin app creator Saveun Man.
Supplied
“If you want to ask about carpooling etiquette, people are nice by default. What I will say is that early adopters of a thing will always try to put their best foot forward,” Man says.
“But to be considerate, to be understanding of other people’s situations, and just being vocal about yours – it helps. It helps bridge that gap.”
Ensuring a safe ride and a way out
For safety, Turnbull recommends letting your whānau and co‑workers know when you’re carpooling and, as a courtesy, let passengers know the route.
“If worse comes to worse and you really don’t like it, I feel like most people these days are adult enough that you can just say, ‘Oh, maybe that didn’t work,’ or ‘Maybe we try something different.’
“I did say when I was in there, I was like, ‘Oh, please let me know if you don’t feel comfortable’ [with my driving].”
Man says Carpoolin users can rate their trip and report drivers.
