You should consider joining a car pool if your transportation cost keeps on increasing. Car pool will also help if case there's regular congestion in your area or when your commutes are getting longer.

The average travel according to the 2000 census is 25.5 miles. The data is maintained on the commuting cost by AAA. People driving more than 15,000 miles per year are estimated to spend 6.0 to 8.9 cents per mile on their commute. Using this data, the commute per week comes out to be 20$. It goes up to 100$ per month if you add parking to it. Using the HOV lanes, the commute time will get shorter. You will not drive and this will make things easier for you. You can read, or do some work while you are in the car. You can also take a snooze.

To start with a can or car pool, you must remember some things:

1. As far as possible, try to do carpooling with your friends or family members. It will be much easier for you.
2. Start with once a week arrangement. If you find it comfortable, start the carpool every day.
3. You should have alternatives in your mind in case there's an emergency at work. Sort this out before starting the carpool.
4. Make sure that the car has proper insurance in case you are driving it. The insurance should cover the passengers in case of any accident.
5. Look for a van pool if your commute is longer. The local government may fund this by allowing you to drive the van back and forth from work. However to be eligible for this program you need a group of 8 to 13 people. Everyone will have to pay the fare. However the driver gets a bonus in this program as has a monthly allotment of miles. He can use the van for personal use!

There are some rules that the car pool team would have to agree upon:

1. You should decide on the meeting point. You can meet at somebody's house if that person lives near by.  There are public parking places where car pool and cars are parked. These places are known as Park and Ride and you all can meet there. To know more about them, contact your local government.
2. You should decide on the time duration for which you will wait for someone if he or she is late.
3. Decide on the type of music that will be played in the car. If the choices do not match, arrange for headphones.
4. Decide whether smoking will be allowed or not.
5. Any stops in the way should be decided before hand. You can consider drive- thrus for food and cash.
6. The cost of the carpool will be shared or will it be turn wise? Say for example if you are driving with someone, will you pay the money or will everyone in the carpool take it turn wise? These things should be sorted out.