How does carpooling work?

When registering for a trip, you will be asked for your carpool preferences. We do not require you to carpool, but is highly recommended and good for the planet! You may choose:

• to be a rider,
• to be driver and the number of passengers you can take,
• to be either and which you prefer (riding or driving),
• no carpool (or I will arrange my own carpool!),
• a carpool meeting location.

Carpool organization is usually done the day before a trip or Fridays for weekend and Monday trips. It is available after 1:30 p.m. by clicking on the Carpool Info link next to the desired trip in the "Upcoming Activities" section of Your Account page. Until we organize the carpool, you may use the Carpool Info link to change your preferences. If you have trouble accessing your carpool information online, please call the Member Service Team at (206) 521-6001.

The carpool organization shows how drivers and riders are grouped. It includes areas for drivers without riders and riders without a driver. Each person's preferred email and phone number are included so that you may contact each other to makes plans.

We arrange carpools according to proximity of the driver and rider but sometimes circumstances make this difficult. If so, we organize the carpool so that it is as convenient as possible. This usually means that a driver can pick a rider on the way to the trip's meeting point. Often you will choose a convenient meeting point in town like a Park & Ride or a restaurant parking lot.

We know that we cannot always organize an optimum carpool or that you may be more flexible than your carpool preference indicated. If so, feel free to use the carpool info page to re-organize the carpool to better suit your needs.

If you must cancel from the trip after the carpool has been organized, please contact the leader and your driver or riders and let them know!

Riders and drivers are also expected to share the costs of gas. The Mountaineers currently recommends twelve cents (12 ¢) per mile round trip.

Disclaimer: Carpools are set up as a convenience to our members but are not an undertaking of The Mountaineers. Drivers and riders participate in carpooling on a voluntary basis. The Mountaineers makes no claim as to the worthiness of vehicles, ability of drivers, or appropriateness of riders. No liability will result to The Mountaineers from voluntary carpooling. Drivers must carry a valid driver's license and the state minimum required insurance.