Carpool program
What is the definition of carpool?
Carpooling is where a group of two (2) or more individuals take turns driving to and from a common destination, reducing costs, traffic, and environmental impact. Carpooling helps to reduce pollution, cuts down on gas and oil consumption costs (you can split these costs) and can extend the life of your car. If more people carpooled, peak travel times would be less stressful, and parking would be more accessible to patients. Did you know that on average, carpooling with another person can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.72 kilograms (Source: Transport Canada). If you were to carpool for a year, you would have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 893 kilograms.
What are the benefits of carpooling with HealthCareCommuter.com?
- 50% discount on parking fees: The discounted carpool parking pass can be obtained via the LMC Parking HangTag Portal. The fee is paid monthly via credit card. One (1) verified carpool trip must be completed to apply and five (5) verified carpool trips must be made in a 30-day period to maintain status via TDMCS HealthCareCommuter platform.
- Reduce traffic congestion and use of the HOV lane: Reducing lone driving trips can reduce overall traffic impacts thereby improving community goals and objectives for sustainable travel and development.
- Carpool parking: Take advantage of the designated carpool parking stalls (no more circling the parkade prior to your shift).
- Improving personal well-being: Carpooling allows sharing of the driving responsibility, which can reduce stress and lead to higher employee retention and satisfaction.
- Reduced environmental impacts: Reduction in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The estimated average annual cost to own and operate a personal vehicle in Canada is approximately between $7,000 and $10,000.
How to get Started:
HealthCareCommuter.com is an online platform and community that connects HealthBC network staff and Medical Staff to find carpooling partners, simplifying their journey to an eco-friendlier commute.
- Sign up on the website, or on the “Health Care Commuter” iOS or Android app
- Enter your origin and work site locations
- Enter the days and times you wish to carpool
- Choose from a selection of commuters who live and work near you to start a carpool!
Read the TDMCS HealthCare Commuter - frequently asked questions for more information.
Where to park:
Carpool Parking Pass Terms & Conditions:
- Carpool trips must be made via www.HealthCareCommuter.com for this program. The driver must post their trip on the app and confirm the passenger request. All steps identified in the app to verify pickup, and drop-off must be completed. Live tracking must be enabled on all carpool group members’ apps for verification and access to premium parking spots.
- Definition of carpool means 2 or more HealthCareCommuter users traveling to and from work in the same vehicle.
- Carpool ‘driver’ must successfully match and initiate trips with carpool 'passengers’ within the
- In order to keep the Discounted Carpool Parking Pass, there needs to be a minimum of 5 verified carpool trips within the last 30 days. Otherwise, without the required amount of carpool trips the ‘driver’ will be cancelled out of the parking program. Carpool ‘drivers’ can always re-apply after carpooling trips have started again; however, it is up to parking administration's discretion to approve carpool parking ePermit requests. Having 5 verified trips as a ‘passenger’ or 5 bookings with no passengers does not grant eligibility for this Carpool Parking ePermit. This ePermit will be waitlisted if demand exceeds inventory levels.
- In addition, parking in designated carpool stalls are available on a first come first serve basis (where available).
- Parking administration has the right to cancel parking privileges at any time, especially due to misuse of the platform.
Carpool tips:
- Before you start carpooling, here are some tips to consider:
- Meet in advance. Regardless of whether you are planning on carpooling with a co-worker or someone new, set up an initial meeting in a public place to get to know one another’s expectations around carpooling and plan your commute together to ensure your carpool match will work for you.
- Ensure your carpool partners have your home, work, or cell numbers just in case plans change. Also, do not forget to give notice of vacation, personal or overtime plans.
- Establish your route and schedule, agree on the pickup/drop-off point(s) and times to meet for the trip home. Decide as a group how long you will wait for a passenger.
- Cost-sharing: If your carpool partners do not share the driving equally, decide how the costs will be shared and agree on payment dates.
- Establish a driving schedule if the driving is shared: Driving schedules can alternate on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
- Set ground rules on what can be done in the car, such as eating or drinking, whether the car is scent-free and whether side trips are okay, such as a morning coffee stop.
- Keep the car clean, in good repair, filled with enough gas for each trip and drive carefully and responsibly.