Comments on: How can I carpool over the GWB?

Question: How can I carpool over the GWB?

MrMulan — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:14:40 -0800

I want to take advantage of the carpool lane ($3.50 vs $12)on the GWB coming in from NJ. What's the best way to do this if I am forever alone, and not travelling during rush hour to pick up sluggers?

By: Cool Papa Bell

Cool Papa Bell — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:28:36 -0800

Ride a motorcycle, which are often exempt from car pool laws.

By: jquinby

jquinby — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:47:05 -0800

....as are 'green vehicles', or at least that has been my experience in ATL.

Don't be like the guy I used to see in the office parking lot, though, with a fully-dressed mannequin permanently riding shotgun. I don't know if he ever got busted, but I read a few articles in the paper where others did.

By: jquinby

jquinby — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:48:26 -0800

(just checked - HOV exemptions on green cars and hybrids are here - NY and NJ are towards the end of the list)

By: deanc

deanc — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:51:43 -0800

EZ-Pass for motorcycles on the GWB is $6.50/8.50. Can't use the carpool lane, which is only for cars with 3 people.

What's the best way to do this if I am forever alone, and not travelling during rush hour to pick up sluggers?

I'm sorry, but your question does not make sense. It's like asking, "I want to go on the amusement park ride that you have to be taller than 5 feet to ride. What is the best way to do this if I am 4 feet tall?"

By: gauche

gauche — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:18:56 -0800

You need somebody who has approx. your commute. You need a carpool buddy. Surely there's somebody on Craigslist who needs semi-regular transit into the city.

By: LonnieK

LonnieK — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:55:24 -0800

Question makes perfect sense. I second the matching commute; besides CL, there are carpool-promotion outfits that prolly know where to find ride-share boards.

By: deanc

deanc — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:05:42 -0800

Yes, if he's asking for how to find other carpoolers, then the idea could be to sign up with a rideshare listing service or use craigslist to make arrangements ahead of time with someone you want to pick up.

More practical is picking up the bus from one of NJ's numerous park-and-ride lots.

By: Majorita

Majorita — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:37:26 -0800

What are sluggers?

By: skynxnex

skynxnex — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:54:09 -0800

Slugging, also known as casual carpooling, is the practice of forming ad hoc, informal carpools for purposes of commuting,

So a slugger is someone who is picked up by a driver to meet HOV requirements, for the benefit of both so no money changes hands.

I've only slugged in Northern VA to DC where it's quite common. I think the hard part about GWB non rush is how will the people you drive get back to NJ (or the other way around)?