OCTA’s pilot program with Waze Carpool just got better. It already offers subsidized carpool rides to or from Irvine for only $2 per rider, regardless of the length of the trip. Through its app, Waze Carpool matches up to 5 people with nearly identical commutes based on their home and destination addresses. Commuters can choose to be a driver or a rider. Drivers earn gas money and riders pay a small rate to cover the costs of gas and vehicle wear and tear.
And now, there’s an updated app that makes Waze Carpool even better. Improvements include:
- No more blind matching: See drivers and riders going your way and choose the people you want to carpool with based on detailed profiles, star ratings, and connections like same workplace and mutual friends—along with price and distance off route. Best matches (closest to your route) will appear at the top.
- Customized rides: New filters let you choose to ride with coworkers only, or opt to select a driver of the same gender.
- Improved matching: Send multiple ride or drive requests and easily access your calendar view.
Along with Spectrumotion and the University of California Irvine, OCTA is assisting with the Waze Carpool pilot program by promoting the offer and sharing it with employers in the Irvine area. For more about the Waze Carpool pilot program, click here.