Frequently Asked Questions From Parents

Do I have to pay for the service

No. The matching service is free thanks to the support of Southwestern Michigan Planning Commission and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

How much does it cost to schoolpool?

If the pooling is shared equally, no money needs to change hands. If one family is driving all of the time or more often, then a fair share of the fuel costs is reasonable to expect. Before you start carpooling, agree on cost-sharing (if any) and when fares should be paid.

Am I obligated to join a carpool if I complete the on-line SchoolPool registration?

No. Completing the on-line registration is not a commitment to carpool and does not guarantee that we can provide a match. It is an expression of interest in exploring carpooling options available to you and your children.

Is my information kept confidential?

Yes, your personal information always remains confidential. Only your first name, last initial, telephone number or email address (you decide which you want to use as your point of contact) go to other parents who have students attending the same school. Go RideSharedoes not share mailing lists or other personal information. GoRideshare will however, release participation reports and program statistics with your school, and to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Are SchoolPool participants screened?

No, Go RideShare does not screen participants. The SchoolPool matching service is provided to assist families in identifying other potential carpool families. We do not run background checks on participants, check for valid driver's licenses or assess insurance coverage. We highly recommend getting to know potential carpool matches prior to making formal commitments in order to verify licensing and insurance as well as determining personal suitability.

What are the insurance implications when parents choose to carpool?

We recommend that you notify your insurance provider of your intent to carry passengers.

What if I don't find a match?

If we can't find a match right away, please check back regularly. As our database grows, so does its potential for making matches.

What is my commitment if I carpool?

You should be on time, responsible and work with other parents to insure the continued success of the carpool.

How often do I have to carpool?

Discuss with the parents on your matchlist the days you wish to participate and arrange a drop-off/pick-up schedule. Remember, you don't need to commit to a full-time arrangement, many families only need help on certain days of the week.

What do I do once I've registered and received my matchlist?

Start by contacting persons on your list in the order they appear. They should be listed in order of proximity to your home. Let them know who you are, why you are calling and how many students you have attending the school as well as their ages. If they are interested in carpooling, arrange to meet at a local place to introduce yourselves and work out the arrangements, obligations, emergency situations, driving records and auto insurance. This should give you an idea about whether you like the person and feel comfortable with them driving your children to and from school.

What happens if I am sick, oversleep or have an emergency?

Always have a back-up plan. All members of the group should keep a list of home, work and cell phone numbers for situations like these. Do not rely on email communication if you can't drive in the morning. If one of your group members is frequently late, agree on how long the group waits at each stop before leaving. An AMA membership is a good idea for those occasions when keys are accidentally locked in the car or you find yourself with a flat tire.

What if our carpool isn't working out?

Call the parents in your carpool and let them know it isn't working out for you. Give group members enough notice to make arrangements. You can then contact another person on your matchlist or log back in to the Go RideShare site to obtain a new match report. As the database grows so does the potential for matching.

How do we keep our carpool working?

A successful carpool, like any other relationship, is based on communication, understanding, respect, honesty and flexibility. Give your carpool group a bit of time to sort out any wrinkles. Your commitment can result in long-term savings and unexpected friendships.