2008 Woodie Awards
Web site connects carpoolers
Nichole Catlett
Issue date: 8/13/08 Section: News
Even with the slight decline in gas prices, students are still paying an arm and a leg to commute to school. With a tank of gas costing over $50, how are scholars supposed to afford tuition, books and food?
One avenue the University of Hawai‘i is encouraging students to explore is carpooling. On Aug. 1 UH relaunched an online ridesharing program where students can search for people who offer rides.
Five years ago was the first launch of the rideshare program as a solution to more than 1,300 O‘ahu bus workers conducting a local strike on the transit system.
By logging on to the MyUH portal and selecting the tools tab, students and faculty can conduct an advance search that allows participants to select which gender they prefer to ride with and whether or not smoking is permitted.
Ideally, students will be able to locate someone to split the overwhelming gas bill. In doing so, carpoolers will also minimize driving stress, improve the region's air quality and decrease the number of cars on the congested roads.
Senior Rhonda Collins comments, "It's really expensive to go to school anyway, so the rideshare program sounds like it would be a good idea; you just have to use your discretion."
The rideshare site emphasizes that "by participating in this program, you are agreeing that you are entirely responsible for your own safety and voluntarily assume all responsibility and risks associated with participation."
Coinciding with the site's benefits are an equal amount of risks.
"I don't think I would feel comfortable using the rideshare program," Christina Leos said. "I have no idea who these people are, and that can be kind of dangerous. Also, having to rely on other people can be really hard, especially if they're late. I'd rather take my own car to school."
One avenue the University of Hawai‘i is encouraging students to explore is carpooling. On Aug. 1 UH relaunched an online ridesharing program where students can search for people who offer rides.
Five years ago was the first launch of the rideshare program as a solution to more than 1,300 O‘ahu bus workers conducting a local strike on the transit system.
By logging on to the MyUH portal and selecting the tools tab, students and faculty can conduct an advance search that allows participants to select which gender they prefer to ride with and whether or not smoking is permitted.
Ideally, students will be able to locate someone to split the overwhelming gas bill. In doing so, carpoolers will also minimize driving stress, improve the region's air quality and decrease the number of cars on the congested roads.
Senior Rhonda Collins comments, "It's really expensive to go to school anyway, so the rideshare program sounds like it would be a good idea; you just have to use your discretion."
The rideshare site emphasizes that "by participating in this program, you are agreeing that you are entirely responsible for your own safety and voluntarily assume all responsibility and risks associated with participation."
Coinciding with the site's benefits are an equal amount of risks.
"I don't think I would feel comfortable using the rideshare program," Christina Leos said. "I have no idea who these people are, and that can be kind of dangerous. Also, having to rely on other people can be really hard, especially if they're late. I'd rather take my own car to school."
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