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Rising gas prices turn strangers into fast friends

MWCN.com Washington - Oregon - Idaho -- Sarah Richards and Kim Boynton work together at Avista, but only recently got to know each other.

High gas prices, as it turns out, sparked the friendship.

Washington is one of eight states where drivers are paying the highest gas rates in the country, and it’s putting a dent in everyone’s wallet.

Gas prices come in at $3.80 on average in Spokane. Coeur d’Alene drivers are paying $3.72.

Local carpool organizations say more people are sharing rides to cut costs. Richards and Boynton cruise out of Avista’s carpool-only lot and head home together most days lately.

KREM 2’s Honora Swanson went on a ride-along with the coworkers Friday. They said the primary reason for carpooling is saving money on fuel.

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Submitted Mar 25, 2012 By: ziyulu

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USAv8tor Veteran Author Long Island Posts:348 Points:138,665 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 22, 2012 6:04:10 AM Ignore USAv8tor Report Abuse Carpooling is cost effective when the participants live close to each other and they all work at the same location, nearby. Also, when those participants don't have much to do during their individual free time. For example, if they visit the same place to eat lunch or, go out and about all together to the same place during their lunch hour breaktime. Other than that, it gets complicated. Sometimes, individuals have to pick up their kids after work or go to the utility company to pay their bills or visit an elderly relative. If all the participants within a given carpool have a sedentary, uncomplicated life and their schedules aren't conflicting nor hectic, then it's cost effective and easy. It's not about just giving the driver on that given day of carpooling a partial gas payment. What about the wear and tear on the driver's vehicle, cost of ownership and maintenance? That's why taxi driver's charge a certain specific fee, for the labor, fuel expenses and maintenance of the vehicle and regular taxi drivers usually drive a late model piece of trash vehicle unless it's a limousine. I wonder if the other occupants of the carpool vehicle will pay their, 'co-worker and/or friend', for repairs when the carpooling vehicle breaks down or when the carpooling vehicle requires its scheduled maintenance such as periodic oil changes, replacement of worn tires, fuel filter, air filter, replacement of hub/wheel bearings. Some maintenance is relatively cheap but, other maintenance and repair work for a carpooling vehicle is expensive, especially if you're carpooling in a BMW or Mercedes-Benz or if your trying to fit 5 persons into a Ford Focus or Toyota Prius. If the carpool occupants save $100 weekly for fuel expenses they probably lose $50 towards fueling, repairs and maintenance for the carpooling vehicle that's used. As I mentioned, if the carpooling vehicle is a GMC Yukon full sized S.U.V. or a BMW or Infiniti, the fuel, repair and maintenance costs rise exponentially. Carpooling in a 4 cylinder Honda Civic still has it's costs too; not only fuel costs but, more wear and tear on the engine because of the vehicle transporting 800 lbs. to 1000 lbs. of passengers which changes the handling characteristics of the car, also uses more fuel which contributes to more greenhouse gas emissions and a larger carbon footprint as well as the increased wear and tear on the vehicle and parts such as tires, interior of the vehicle, A/C condensor for hot summer day commuting, frequent air filter replacement, frequent oil changes (quality of fuel being used is also a factor), area/location and environment also has an impact on the total costs of carpooling, car insurance for liability protection for the passengers if there is an accident. Is it really worth it? Does it really give a drastic savings? How much savings with all the variables factored in, $15, $30? Sacrificing one's time, freedom of movement, comfort and etc. to save $10, $15, $20? I have seen accidents of carpooling vehicles and usually there are serious injuries sustained by at least one of the carpooling vehicles occupants, I've seen fatalities too. It's benefits versus costs versus risks versus the hundreds of thousands of other idiots on the road at the same time at any given time.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,643 Points:1,611,470 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 6:01:09 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse car pooling is common in many other parts of the world. Only the US hasn't really caught on.
N5EXY Champion Author Austin Posts:5,502 Points:1,512,030 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Mar 27, 2012 5:53:57 AM Ignore N5EXY Report Abuse So at least they get to work.
Pumpz Sophomore Author Boston Posts:197 Points:887,125 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 7:21:28 PM Ignore Pumpz Report Abuse Van pools are a great idea.
tamanite Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:23,768 Points:2,039,500 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 7:53:54 AM Ignore tamanite Report Abuse The last two companies I worked for had van pools, about a dozen each. It was great. I could sleep or read or sew or just talk with my coworkers when I wasn't driving the van. We took turns driving mostly except for one fellow who was afraid of the liability if we should ever have an accident. We never had any accidents during the 20 or so years I used the vans. My cars sat at home and lasted many years longer. I'm still driving the second one and reaping the benefits of the van pool some 14 years later.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,073 Points:2,347,460 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 3:28:30 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Car pooling works for most people but not all. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
wamster Champion Author Houston Posts:4,268 Points:696,880 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 2:00:04 AM Ignore wamster Report Abuse The company I worked for had about 3 van pools. There were a lot of company incentives to save fuel.
OldMoses All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:749 Points:56,335 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:22:47 AM Ignore OldMoses Report Abuse Cdnlynx, You are absolutely right. God Bless...
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,024 Points:525,835 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:16:52 AM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse OldMoses - Fortunately in a round-a-bout way; u may have meant to be sarcastic, however you hit upon a great idea. Not for all, but for many, it will work. Helping your fellow man actually helps you more, then you may possibly realize. Smile & be Happy!
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,024 Points:525,835 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:13:48 AM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse LostToo > ur moniker says it all; how sad! You, may be missing out on a social development/engineering, in the 21st century. It may not work for all, however it will for many be a socially liberating development.
quasar502 Champion Author Lansing Posts:3,593 Points:803,300 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:12:54 AM Ignore quasar502 Report Abuse Neccesity is the mother of invention.
OldMoses All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:749 Points:56,335 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:10:14 AM Ignore OldMoses Report Abuse Apparently I'm not very good at sarcasm....
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,024 Points:525,835 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:05:43 AM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse I agree oldmoses; you can influence more with kindness. I know an older retired lady, if I am going to a grocery store out of her way, and I know that she uses a particular item on sale for a great price, I ask her if she would like me to pick up some for her. Why spend more money, for a more expensive item and utilize double the fuel and save on needless manpower (rhetorical). Win, win; pay it forward concept! It make the most sense! [Edited by: CdnLynx at 3/26/2012 12:06:46 AM EST]
wonderlander Veteran Author Illinois Posts:393 Points:49,600 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:03:13 AM Ignore wonderlander Report Abuse OldMoses- Depending on your friends, shower pools could be awesome.
Thomtec Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,484 Points:611,070 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:02:23 AM Ignore Thomtec Report Abuse Ok
CdnLynx Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,024 Points:525,835 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:00:28 AM Ignore CdnLynx Report Abuse Expanding your friendship base for less money!
OldMoses All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:749 Points:56,335 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 26, 2012 12:00:14 AM Ignore OldMoses Report Abuse Why stop at carpooling? We could all laundry pool, shower pool, have TV viewing pools, book reading pools {all under the same energy saving bulb, of course], and if you've got a spare bedroom, house pools.
NGEFE Veteran Author Provo Posts:339 Points:469,225 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:55:49 PM Ignore NGEFE Report Abuse Well, we have speed dating - perhaps they are speeding as well!!!??? ;)
Lizzylou Champion Author Stockton Posts:8,818 Points:2,357,285 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:55:41 PM Ignore Lizzylou Report Abuse I don't find people being "friendly" at the gas pumps! Most are in crappy moods!!!
gatekeepertwo Veteran Author Wilmington Posts:389 Points:187,120 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:53:53 PM Ignore gatekeepertwo Report Abuse we all have to do whatever it takes to survive
eblair54 Sophomore Author Missouri Posts:143 Points:437,750 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:53:50 PM Ignore eblair54 Report Abuse I would certainly try it out, for the sake of saving money at first, and then possibly making new friends.
ModelWarships Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,805 Points:1,234,035 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:53:38 PM Ignore ModelWarships Report Abuse lost my carpool ride and now am going it alone. Good thing my Focus gets 35mpg.
tidalwave3 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,308 Points:1,466,180 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:52:21 PM Ignore tidalwave3 Report Abuse In the rural side of America is hard to connect in the right direction at the same time.
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,588 Points:1,774,820 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:50:55 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse For those who can work it out, carpooling can be very helpful. Many things must come together to make that workable. As the pain of the thumbscrews increases, more concessions will be made and more carpooling will result. Fix the problem: speculators. Regulate the market. Make it a real market again. Paper pushers have no business buying contracts without taking delivery of product. The CFTC is not doing its job -- just as their boss wants. BHO & Co. are their boss. The puppet master pulls BHO's strings.
cheap59 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,240 Points:963,770 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:49:14 PM Ignore cheap59 Report Abuse It won't work where I live.
tco9436 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:1,782 Points:724,225 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:48:28 PM Ignore tco9436 Report Abuse gas is $410 here in connecticut, but im still not going to carpool
LostToo Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,392 Points:975,315 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:46:18 PM Ignore LostToo Report Abuse AWWWWWWWWW! Aint that special.... Leave it to a liberal rag to try to put a good spin on an outrages situation.
Lerxst17 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,040 Points:399,850 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:46:18 PM Ignore Lerxst17 Report Abuse Really? How did this important info get past an editor?
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:6,806 Points:1,950,790 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:46:14 PM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse Carpooling works in big cities.
jamieg2012 Veteran Author Sioux Falls Posts:286 Points:11,385 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:45:22 PM Ignore jamieg2012 Report Abuse problem here for the public transit is it does not go where people need to and does not run at hours people really need it they cut off ability to get night jobs unless you work a 12 hour shift just to wait for the bus to run again the next day also they do not stop near places and to get groceries home you must hold it all on your lap and only buy 1 day at a time since that is all that will fit on your lap also people either have to get separate rides like a cab that if you can afford that then owning a new lexus is cheaper just to get to church or if you are supposed to work on a sunday since no bus runs at any time on sundays or holidays and a cab costs more than you make in a day so no point to work for the get to know your neighbor to carpool thing they have to change drug and other laws to make me willing to try it if the other person has drugs in their pocket or bag then you go to jail for driving the car then no more car for you in seizure laws and you get to know a lot of people in the 15 years in prison time [Edited by: jamieg2012 at 3/25/2012 11:48:47 PM EST]
mrsmagoo2010 Rookie Author Ontario Posts:56 Points:27,550 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:43:09 PM Ignore mrsmagoo2010 Report Abuse This is a really good idea, just hope there's no kooks out there!
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:8,045 Points:1,696,065 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:42:53 PM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse It's a start!!!
shopnshop Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,125 Points:329,080 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:41:03 PM Ignore shopnshop Report Abuse well, maybe it is good for the environment afterall and since nobody know their neighbour. This could be an opportunity.
nztyraider Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,273 Points:695,575 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:40:01 PM Ignore nztyraider Report Abuse Only a couple of people.
mindrisa Veteran Author Denver Posts:380 Points:134,830 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:38:42 PM Ignore mindrisa Report Abuse ok
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,061 Points:1,489,805 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:36:27 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse We have been carpooling for many years, and current gas prices will increase riders per car.
sammy518 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,589 Points:539,790 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:36:06 PM Ignore sammy518 Report Abuse ok
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,517 Points:605,400 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:35:57 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse good public transit would be great & will help cut gas use.
feistyfella All-Star Author Georgia Posts:881 Points:195,495 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:33:13 PM Ignore feistyfella Report Abuse Aww!
ED6 Champion Author Riverside Posts:9,494 Points:1,853,080 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:33:06 PM Ignore ED6 Report Abuse I don't need carpool, I don't drive far.
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:5,740 Points:1,504,905 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:32:42 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse true
jerej829 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,866 Points:695,915 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:32:40 PM Ignore jerej829 Report Abuse Ok
JesseJack52 All-Star Author Virginia Beach Posts:628 Points:127,835 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:31:59 PM Ignore JesseJack52 Report Abuse One thing don't understand in VA a republican state thru and thru FACT 2nd Lowest GAS Tax in the nation @ 17.5 cents FACT Last raised in 1986 to that previously mentioned amount, Yet our current gas price average regular is comparable to Washington state's $3.75 - $3.90 for a gallon......and our Current Governor Mcdonnell HAS APPROVED NEW BRIDGE AND TUNNEL TOLLS FOR THE LARGEST CITY IN VA.....HAMPTON ROADS NOT SINCE THEY WERE ERADICATED BY A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR'S GERRY BILIES AND HIS SUCCESSOR DOUGLAS WILDER IN THE LATE 198O'S & EARLY 199O'S............IT'S OBVIOUS THE REPUBLICANS ARE AT IT AGAIN.....TAXING ANNNND SPENDING....SOUND FAMILIAR!!! (RR 1980-1988)
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,155 Points:1,885,620 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:30:59 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse Not everyone can car pool
greenfog Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,500 Points:1,640,970 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:30:08 PM Ignore greenfog Report Abuse anything to cut costs.
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,238 Points:520,800 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:27:53 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Carpooling can help. Not for everyone, though.
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,814 Points:1,845,400 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:24:13 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse Carpooling is great if you get it to work. Many times it doesn't due to schedules and destinations.
tobasco Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:7,351 Points:2,110,810 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:19:03 PM Ignore tobasco Report Abuse Carpooling saved me at least $100 a month.
whatif81 All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:675 Points:206,145 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:18:51 PM Ignore whatif81 Report Abuse thats good, helps with air pollution
gd83goldwinger Champion Author South Bend Posts:1,428 Points:504,980 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 25, 2012 11:18:14 PM Ignore gd83goldwinger Report Abuse You got to do what you got to do.