Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carpool to School? Carpool to School is a program that provides FREE carpool matching services for families attending the same school. Carpooling allows parents to share the responsibility of driving children to and from school. This reduces the number of cars around a school, and gives you more time to attend to other needs in the morning and/or afternoon.
Why should I carpool? Carpooling has many benefits: saves you money and time, increases safety around your school by reducing traffic, introduces you to other families, and reduces pollution.
Who does the driving? Each carpool is different. One parent may do all the driving or all parents may share the responsibility. The families involved in the carpool will have to decide of how the carpool will operate.
If I register, do I have to carpool? No, you can easily deactivate your registration at any time. By applying now, you'll help build the database of parents who would consider this option and increase your choices.
Do I have to pay for this service? No, it is free. However, carpoolers may decide to share the cost of gas depending on who does most or all of the driving.
Can my child be a "rider" only? Yes, indicate on the application that you prefer your child to be a "rider only". Other parents with more time can be drivers, and you can offer to contribute to the carpool in other ways (help with gas, etc.).
What do I do after I have been matched with different families? We suggest you contact the families that live closest to you, or with whom you feel the most comfortable. Let them know who you are and why you are emailing/calling. If you determine there is a good match, then meet and talk about how to set up the carpool (expectations, rules).
How can I get to know the families with whom my child will be riding? We believe that it is very important to meet and talk to the other families in your carpool to make it a safe and successful one. You may want to have a play date or lunch date to get to know them beforehand.
My child has after-school activities on some days. Can I join more than one carpool? Yes, when you register you will be able to choose the exact days and times you want to carpool. CarpoolMatchNW.org will match you with the families that have chosen similar days/times.
What happens if my child or I am sick, oversleeps, or has an emergency? Let the people in your carpool know as soon as possible. Setting up a phone tree is a good way to get information to all participants quickly. You may want to exchange cell phone numbers, if available.
What if our Carpool to School isn't working out? There is no obligation to stay in a carpool, especially if it is not beneficial. If discussing the problems doesn't work then you may need to go back online and find another carpool to join. Give your carpool members enough notice to make other arrangements if needed.
What if I have more than one child at a school? If all your children have the same schedule, one registration is all you need in order to get a list of all Carpool to School matches. If your children's schedules differ from each other (for example one stays after school for activities), then you will need to find a match for one time and then change your profile to find a match for the other time.
Concerned about confidentiality? CarpoolMatchNW.org does not sell, share, or trade your information. You match only with families that have the same school destination. Only your first name and email are shown on the list, along with your chosen origin address. We recommend that you meet the other families before you start the carpool. Our database is behind the City of Portland's firewall.
What do I do once I have a matchlist? After you are matched with other families, contact the ones that you would like. Set up a lunch date or play date to meet the other families. Ask questions and talk about your expectations and rules for the carpool.
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