The Mountain Ride: Carpools Needed July 11, 2008

Confessions of a Gasaholic

News and Tips for Reducing Commuting Costs

By Gary Meyer

O.K., I admit it. I have a problem. I guzzle gas and can’t seem to stop once I’ve started. It began long ago. I’ve loved gas-guzzlers since I was a teenager growing up in Southern California. Now I’m trying to break the habit.

This column will be a Gasaholic’s Bulletin to discuss anything which helps (or purports to help) save on commuting costs.

  • How to start a carpool
  • Types of carpool agreements
  • Gas-saving devices that work
  • Hybrids, electrics, motorcycles
  • ‘Miracle Gas Savers’ described or debunked …and more.

New Carpool Services

A new carpool service—TheMountainRide.com—was announced several weeks ago in The Mountain Enterprise. It is a free service being sponsored by Hometown Publishing, which is working to create automated online software to match local commuters’ needs.

Another service was also announced in a meeting Wednesday, July 2 at the Family Resource Center.

The Kern Commuter Connection, has been launched by Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG). It can serve mountain residents and is accessible at www.kern.greenride. com.

Fiesta Days Sign-Up

Visitors to Fiesta Days at Frazier Mountain Park on Saturday, Aug. 2 and Sunday, Aug. 3 can look for banners that say, "Kern Commuter Connection" and "TheMountainRide.com." You can sign up for both services there.

The Kern Commuter Connection is a service that can be used by residents throughout the county, while TheMountainRide.com is being designed specifically for local residents to arrange carpools which start and return here on the mountain.

Because carpooling can save each participant hundreds of dollars per month, more commuters are willing to flex their comfort zones by meeting new people and driving a few extra blocks off the beaten path per day.

Drop by the booth at Fiesta Days to check out new commuting solutions to help you save money.

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In the meantime,The Mountain Ride column on this page may show someone already signed in who may be a match.

To find carpool partners and submit your request, go to http://www.TheMountainRide.com

This is a free online service for local commuters.

Carpools/Rides Needed

  • Mon-Wed, to Mission Hills/ Rinaldi from FP- Can drop off in SCV if needed. "I have to get to Mission Hills by 5:25 a.m. and I leave Mission Hills at 5 p.m. Those times are firm, but I am willing to give oneway rides. (661) 245-3746/ (661)310-5247; amyraymb@ yahoo.com
  • Weekdays to Valencia from Los Padres Estates, to I-5 at Lyons. "Can adjust shifts so can leave from 5:30 a.m. to 8 a.m." (661) 248-6747
  • Mon.-Fri., to Bakersfield from Lebec. Work hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ashe Rd/District Blvd. (661) 809-5672; Seekangels1@ aol.com
  • Wed.-Sat., to Bakersfield from Frazier Market to Gosford (Home Depot). Work hours 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (949) 351-2572 or (661) 245-3801
  • Weekdays to Ventura from Pine Mountain to Ventura (Stanley exit off Highway 33 about two miles north of 101) to be at work before 8 a.m. (the earlier the better) and leave Ventura between 3:30- 4 p.m. M,T,Th, F (Wednesdays I leave at 4:15 p.m.). (661) 242-2422

This is part of the July 11, 2008 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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