Diving into the car pool

Workplace perks, high gas prices drive hike in ride sharing

While many of his co-workers walk as far as a half-mile from parking lot to office, Manish Puri pulls his Honda Accord into a spot about 50 yards from his desk in the IT department at Boston College. The reason for this rock-star treatment is sitting in the passenger seat: a colleague who carpools with him from Malden five days a week.

Puri is among the growing number of local drivers who have taken up carpooling. But, as his experience shows, it’s more than just gas prices getting commuters out of single-occupancy vehicles. In the 21st-century version of ride sharing — driven by climate concerns as well as gas prices — government programs and environmentally conscious employers are providing extra incentives, while Internet technology makes it easier than ever to match riders with drivers. Read more: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2011/05/31/perks_gas_prices_prompt_revival_in_carpooling/

Article courtesy of The Boston Globe-Green Blog by Kathleen Pierce/ Globe Correspondent