Carpool network hopes to ease pain of high gas prices
Steve Thomas
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News
Eastern students, faculty and staff who want to use EKU Rides can create an account using their university e-mail address, then post their schedule or use the search feature to find another person with a schedule that matches. They can then contact that person via e-mail, phone or Facebook.
Helping the environment is one reason some EKU students and faculty are signing up. Jodi Peters, an Eastern faculty member who has already signed up for the program, said her focus is limiting the number of cars on the road, but helping other people with difficult financial situations is a nice too. She also said the program was a great way to meet people.
"It's a nice chance to cross traditional boundaries between faculty, students and staff," she said.
Burrus also emphasized the social benefits.
"It's always more pleasant to have someone to ride with instead of going home after that night class at 10 p.m. by yourself," she said.
Peters said the network is extremely user-friendly.
"I like how it's set up," Peters said. "I signed up in like five minutes."
Burrus said being user-friendly was a main goal of the program, and one of the reasons the university selected the online networking company Zimride to set it up.
"Other programs weren't as user-friendly," Burrus said. "Zimride is doing a great job running it. They've been a dream to work with."
She also said the incorporation of Facebook was something that drew EKU to Zimride.
"It just offers more because of Facebook," she said. "That's the name of the game these days."
The site displays information about a driver's car, typical driving speed, music preference, music volume, and smoking preference.
Burrus said the information is designed to make all participants feel both safe and comfortable with their fellow riders and drivers.
Burrus said one advantage of using EKU Rides is being able to pair up with faculty or staff you might already know. "Facebook is also a great way to check them out beforehand," Burrus said.
Helping the environment is one reason some EKU students and faculty are signing up. Jodi Peters, an Eastern faculty member who has already signed up for the program, said her focus is limiting the number of cars on the road, but helping other people with difficult financial situations is a nice too. She also said the program was a great way to meet people.
"It's a nice chance to cross traditional boundaries between faculty, students and staff," she said.
Burrus also emphasized the social benefits.
"It's always more pleasant to have someone to ride with instead of going home after that night class at 10 p.m. by yourself," she said.
Peters said the network is extremely user-friendly.
"I like how it's set up," Peters said. "I signed up in like five minutes."
Burrus said being user-friendly was a main goal of the program, and one of the reasons the university selected the online networking company Zimride to set it up.
"Other programs weren't as user-friendly," Burrus said. "Zimride is doing a great job running it. They've been a dream to work with."
She also said the incorporation of Facebook was something that drew EKU to Zimride.
"It just offers more because of Facebook," she said. "That's the name of the game these days."
The site displays information about a driver's car, typical driving speed, music preference, music volume, and smoking preference.
Burrus said the information is designed to make all participants feel both safe and comfortable with their fellow riders and drivers.
Burrus said one advantage of using EKU Rides is being able to pair up with faculty or staff you might already know. "Facebook is also a great way to check them out beforehand," Burrus said.
