Social network coordinates carpooling to campus

Students can pay to park or try to catch the bus for a ride to campus.  However, the Environmental Issues Committee has provided an alternative to conventional modes of transportation: carpooling.

The Aggie Zimride project is a growing social network where students can coordinate ridesharing with other Aggies.

"People who use Zimride can benefit by saving money if they choose to charge for their rides and by having a more enjoyable trip for those who like company when traveling," said Environmental Issues Committee Co-Chair Jakob Rosenberg. "Possibly the largest beneficiaries are those students without cars who need rides to and from home, class, away games or anywhere else they need to go."

Aggie Zimride was initiated by an Aggie Green Fund grant proposed by Lindsey Adams, and is being promoted by the Environmental Issues Committee of the Student Government Association.

"Zimride has already been highly successful in a number of universities on the east and west coast, but Texas A&M is actually the first university in Texas to use Zimride," Rosenberg said.

The organizers of Aggie Zimride said the system is secure because it is set-up within the Texas A&M community.

"You have the option of posting rides to the entire Zimride community, as well, and even link it to your Facebook account," Environmental Issues Committee Co-Chair Amanda Cernovich said.

Zimride is one of the nine projects supported by the Aggie Green Fund, which was created to increase sustainability efforts on campus.

"Sharing rides helps sustain the environment we live in by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions we generate," Rosenberg said. "By carpooling we can lower the amount of cars out on the road thereby reducing our dependence on gasoline as well."

Rosenberg said the Zimride system is very simple to use. Drivers are able to charge for rides, and the system also allows users to post specific details about their rides, including music and seating information.

Students who started using Aggie Zimeride said they have enjoyed the opportunity to help other Aggies and also be environmentally conscious.

"I'm constantly on the watch for new opportunities as an Aggie to be more environmentally friendly. As soon as I heard about Zimride, I signed up,"  said Carly Thompson, class of 2010 English major and research assistant. "My schedule as a research assistant is flexible, so I thought I'd offer to carpool Aggies on Tuesdays and Thursdays."

The Environmental Issues Committee said they have high hopes for the program.

"We hope it will be very successful granting Aggies the opportunity to travel more easily than ever before, whether it be through more convenient transportation home, to class, work, sporting events or simply for leisure," Rosenberg said.