The vast majority of DC metro commuters drive alone in their cars at least three days a week.  This is according to a 2001 Commuter Connections survey. You might speculate that this is yet another symptom of the fact that in this modern world of ours, people just prefer to have their space and distance from each other.  But the same survey reveals what is probably the most obvious reason why people don’t carpool – half of them don’t have someone to carpool with.  

It seems sort of strange on the face of it.  Between all the people driving out from your neighborhood and driving in to your work, how hard could it be to find a couple of people to share a ride with?  But, there are hundreds of thousands of us going all over the place, and it turns out it’s not so easy to find the people who are heading in the same direction as you at the same time.  

Some smart people have thought about this problem and come up with an astoundingly simple solution: the online slug line.  For those who aren’t familiar with them, “slug lines” are quite literally hitchhikers who cue up at designated spots to fill empty passenger seats in cars.  It’s a win-win situation.  The sluggers get a ride to work (or close enough so they can walk or take a short transit trip to work) and drivers get to use the faster HOV carpool lanes by filling up their cars.

Now, those looking to share a ride can find each other ahead of time over the internet by registering at www.GoLoco.org.  “Olo’s,” which is what registered users call themselves, enter basic information about themselves into the system and build a network of friends and acquaintances with whom to share rides.  Anyone in your network can refer someone they know and trust allowing you to expand your options for finding passengers or a driver. And, if you already use Facebook, simply choose to be part of the GoLoco transportation network.   
  
GoLoco has been used for everything from getting to work, attending sporting and music events, going to a party or going shopping or doing longer day and weekend trips.  It allows the costs of the trip to be shared among several people.  You can catch up with friends and make new ones.  Best of all, as more people find others to carpool with congestion is reduced and traffic moves more freely so everyone can get to their destination more quickly.    

The “empty car seat syndrome” plagues our society, but there are simple ways to combat the problem.  GoLoco seems to be one of the easiest ways I’ve seen to reduce the old carbon footprint.  What would the smog and congestion problem in Metro DC look like if three out of four drivers who currently drive alone went loco?  Let’s all join up and find out: www.GoLoco.org.