South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

• What is it?
• What are the benefits?
• How Do I Get Started?

Here are 6 basic steps to start a carpool/vanpool. This list doesn't cover everything, but it should give you a good place to start. A more detailed description of each step can be found in this DHEC document.

1. Determine interest and invite potential carpoolers to participate
2. Match potential carpoolers
3. Provide incentives
4. Establish guidelines
5. Keep communication open
6. Monitor results

What tools and resources are currently available?

Carpool matching assistance:

• Ridesharing (Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland Counties)
• Ridesharing (Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties)
• Carpooling at Carolina
• Carpool World
• eRideShare
• Ridesearch

Additional Resources for Carpooling/Vanpooling:

• Guidelines for a Successful Vanpool Lunch & Learn Event  (DHEC)
  • Sample Email  (DHEC)
  • Sample Flyer/Poster  (DHEC)
  • Sample Building Directions  (DHEC)
• Carpooling Toolkit  (DHEC)
• Getting to Work  (CTAA/FTA)
• Information on emissions benefits related to transportation alternatives  (FHWA)
• Vanpooling services may be available in South Carolina through companies such as VPSI.
• Van-pools.com is a blog and online resource portal for commuters who want to learn more about the financial and environmental benefits of sharing rides.
• What about unexpected emergencies? A Guaranteed Ride Home Program may help increase participation. This website supports the metropolitan area around Washington, D.C., but still has some great examples of what a GRH program can do for your employees.
• Your business may qualify to be a Best Workplaces for Commuters which might attract perspective employees.

For more information please contact the Bureau of Air Quality at (803) 898-4123 or by email.