Letters to the Editor
The Gas Crisis, we're all in this together; Carpooling!
By Coleen Czechowski
Jun 19, 2008, 00:23

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past several months, you've been reading articles and seeing TV news reports everyday about the severe gasoline situation. And you also know that there is also no end in sight.

For generations, we Americans have enjoyed the "good life"; jumping into our SUV's to get just one quart of milk. The cost of gasoline was only calculated into the equation if you were taking a long trip to visit Gramma in Florida.

It never was added to the cost of going to the movies, to grocery shop, to the mall, or out to dinner. Until now, that is. And to add to the misery, is the fact that all of these items at each destination have also drastically risen in price.

I drive one hundred miles a day; approximately fifteen percent of my salary is allotted to paying for my gasoline this year so far and it's expected to rise. I'm already squeezing every drop that I can.

I'm buying my gas at the Native American Reservation, and using my Discover Card that gives me five percent back. I've slowed down to 55 mph on the highways, and using cruise control, and have noticed that others are doing the same.

I'm walking to the store to get the items that I used to drive to (but that's only doable six months of the year), or I'm waiting and combining several stops into one. I've increased the deductible on my car, house, and medical insurances.

I'm paying more bills on-line to avoid buying stamps. I'm renting movies (delivered to my mailbox) instead of going out to the show. I quit buying my lunch at work, bringing in leftovers from home. As an added benefit to the walking and the home prepared foods. I'm finding that I'm healthier too.

But what else can I do? I can't cut back anymore. There's only one more thing that I can think of and that is to car pool. I put my name and requirements (directions, drive time, smoker vs. non-smoker) on a few national websites several months ago with no bites.

Then I read last week about a new local website for WNY carpoolers that I think will be the answer to our prayers. Ron Tebo just started it a few months ago (www.wnycarpool.com) and already he's gotten over three hundred interested riders/drivers.

You post where you live, where you work, the approximate hours, days of the week, and any other pertinent information and if another reader matches your situation, you can arrange to meet them and discuss the possibilities.

Ron seems to have thought of everything including suggesting that you meet your potential buddy in a public place, make sure they have insurance, set up a trial period, etc.

The site takes some navigating, and could possibly be a little bit easier to use, but if you spend some time on it (always remember to use zip codes in your search) you should be able to find somebody to cut your gas expenses in half.

I'd like to see this go a few steps further. I made a bumper sticker (www.wnycarpool.com) on my computer, and with clear packing tape, put it on my car.

I drive the I-290 and I-190 everyday, as do thousands of others individuals, but we have no way of contacting each other. If we all put these stickers on our cars, I'll bet we could cut the amount of traffic down by at least 25% percent.

Who wouldn't like to see 10,000 fewer cars on Transit Rd during rush hour? It would be a win/win for us all; save on gas money, clean up the environment,and alleviate traffic congestion.

I'd like to see the NYS Thruway Authority passing these stickers out at the tollbooths, and the AAA, the radio and TV stations, and gas and service stations doing the same.

I'd like to see the Thruway Authority, and Erie County Highway Dept post this website on their electronic signs and billboards all over Western New York.

Somebody needs to step up and print these signs and bumper stickers and help save us. Here's Buffalo's chance to make the national news for something positive for a change.

I challenge everyone to print yourself a bumper sticker today, even if you have no intention of carpooling. You'll be helping to get another car off the road.





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