Gas Prices Propel Rise In Carpoolers, Metro Users

Kirby noted that the number of people using a cost-of-commuting calculator on the council's carpool Web site -- http://www.commuterconnections.com -- has risen by 40 percent.

"Over the last 25 years, we've never seen anything like this in terms of a rapid run-up in the price of gasoline," Kirby said. "It's caused a bump in interest in our services like we've never seen before."

John Harbison has thought plenty over the years about giving up the comfort and convenience of driving to work alone. He toyed with carpooling a few years back and then tried the bus for a little while, but found both options less than inviting.

"It's always been a personal-space issue," Harbison said. "I've always been a little reluctant."

Not anymore.

"I came in [Friday] morning and saw the Shell station was $3.39 and I said: 'Gee, I'm going to call Commuter Connections,' " he said. "I thought: Well, it's about time to start doing it."

Harbison said it costs $32 a week to fill up his Honda Civic and drive between Olney and the District -- more than twice what it used to cost. "I've got two kids in college and I'm looking for ways to save money," he said. "I think we all are."

Gas prices in the region are among the highest in the nation, averaging $3.20 a gallon Friday compared with the national average of $3.01. A month ago, gas in the area was $2.37 a gallon on average. A year ago, it was $1.85.

Despite all the changes, most commuters are driving by themselves and most area roads still have the usual backups and delays. AAA Mid-Atlantic's Anderson said that is partly because many commuters do not have other options.

"The fact is, a lot of people are hard-pressed, given how spread out we are here, to find any other way to get around other than the automobile," Anderson said. "The people out there pretty much have to be out there."

Some who are trying to cut their costs said they are not having any success. Lauren Greenwell said she has been unable to find a third person to share a carpool between Fair Lakes and the District. She switches off weeks with another driver and, with gas prices being what they are, they would like to add someone they only have to drive every third week.

Greenwell said that would cut the cost of filling her Honda Accord from $100 a month to about $65.

"A lot of people are not willing to drive into D.C.," she said. "They just want a ride." So she and her fellow carpooler drive on, trading off weeks.

"Gas prices are crazy," Greenwell said. "It hurts. It really hurts to fill up."