Some like it, some just don’t

CARPOOLING may still be new to some but due to the drastic rise in petrol price two weeks ago, certain members of the community are forced to carpool again.

It may not be the most pleasant alternative to certain people but it surely helps in cutting down monthly allowance for fuel.

Getting started isn’t easy, as many of us still prefer driving ourselves because our work shifts and hours are usually different from others who live close to us.

More fun in a group: For college students, carpooling is a great way to save their pocket money.

“Staff members of a hotel, for instance, have different shifts and it is not easy to find colleagues who not only lives near you but also has the same working hours as mine,” said hotel communications manager Linda Evelyn Wong.

Project officer Gary Tan feels it saves him more time driving than relying on friends to carpool for the sake of saving fuel.

“Driving oneself around not only saves the trouble of others having to come and fetch you but also helps me manage my time better,” said Tan, 29, who has to juggle between his day job as well as coaching ice hockey in the night.

However the practice does seem to be an enjoyable one for those who have started early like Loh Ving Sung, 24.

Loh, who has been carpooling since his university days, says he opted to carpool as driving alone to class can be boring at times.

“I live in Cheras and the journey to Petaling Jaya every morning can take a while. My friends who live nearby felt the same too and that was when the decision to start carpooling began,” said Loh.

After classes the group will head out for lunches and tea breaks together before leaving for home.

Now Loh, who is working as a writer, said he still practices carpooling with his colleagues, as it is safer to travel in a group, too.

Sales executive George Lim, 28, agrees with Loh saying how exciting and fun it was to carpool especially for outings or just to go for movies and shopping.

“Travelling around in a group allows us to catch up with one another, sing and eat together in the car, even better when it helps save petrol and the environment too,” said Lim.

Source : The Star (24 June 2008)

By CHRISTINA LOW