Some Hidden Benefits To Carmapooling

Caoimhe K. recently became Ireland’s first Carmapooler to reach the 1,000km mark – now we’re delighted to introduce her special guest blog entry!

“I started using the Carma app in May 2013 and have had such a great experience with it! I cannot believe the amount of hidden (and obvious) benefits to using this app:

#1: I live in Kinsale, commuting to Cork five days a week for work and traveling a fair bit for business. So during the week I don’t get to meet people from Kinsale, actually from Kinsale. The app is great socially! I’ve met such lovely people, whose paths have never crossed mine before in the 7+ years I’ve lived here. I even found a gardener to sort out my neglected garden, through his son who used to rideshare with me on his way to college.

#2: I’m married to a tillage farmer, so my household probably consumes as much fuel as an average jumbo jet. I know the app is about reducing your carbon footprint, but that really matters when you live on a tillage farm and can’t just turn off the lights to be greener.

#3: Networking! I work for a software company and like to think of myself as an early adopter of new technology. Many others using the app are early adopters too, like-minded people, often working in tech companies. It’s been great for broadening my network in Cork, as I’m usually pretty US focused in that regard. College grads and job hunters should leverage this hidden benefit, as a lot of the people who Carmapool are established in their careers and are good to network with 😉

#4: Appreciating where I live! Kinsale is a stunning place to live, and I have a beautiful road to drive every day. But having others (new to Kinsale) in the car, oohhhing and aahhhing at the beautiful scenery and about the brilliant pubs and restaurants is a wonderful reminder of the awesome place I live in!

#5: The commute flies when you’re chatting! I’ve met lovely people and had so many great/funny/informative conversations – there’s never a danger of falling asleep behind the wheel when you’re Carmapooling.

I guess I don’t really need to spell out the obvious benefits: safeguarding the environment, reducing traffic congestion, demonstrating that you care and have a conscience… not to mention getting kudos from the Carma team for being the first person in Ireland to reach 1000km in shared trips!”