I commute from Oakland to San Francisco weekdays mainly by being a driver or passenger for the casual carpool which has organized "hitchhiking" stops in the east bay and drops off in the west bay (San Francisco) near the old Transbay Terminal (Fremont and Howard streets). I have been using the casual carpool for more than 25 years and here's 10 reasons I love it:
1. The toll for the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge is $2.50 with carpool between 5 and 10am weekdays and $6 without.
2. Riders usually contribute $1 and if I pick up 3 riders, I am 50 cents ahead of the game.
3. Once I get past the MacArthur Maze and use the carpool lane I can shave thirty minutes to an hour from my commute time.
4. I meet interesting people, some who work near me.
5. Sometimes I pick up friends in the casual carpool.
6. There is a casual carpool at MacArthur and High, walking distance from my home in the Allendale Park Neighborhood, so I can be a passenger too.
7. It forced me to get a FasTrak account and transponder so now I don't worry about having cash for tolls on any bridges.
8. I feel a part of a community going to work, even if there is no talking during the commute.
9. There is an app, Carma Carpooling.
10. I am helping "spare the air" by not driving solo and by riding with others who do not drive solo.
Peace, love, compassion, and blessings.