Casual Carpool

I recently did a posting for the AC Transit O Bus Line… and on the days that I don’t take the O Bus from Alameda, I do the Casual Carpool from Santa Clara Avenue at Webster Street.
I think that this is great! It takes me about 20min to get from Alameda to downtown SF, as we breeze along the Carpool Lanes, through the Toll Booth Plaza, and straight into downtown SF.
Sometimes there are great rides with people all talking and getting along, and there are times where it’s quiet as can be… or sometimes everyone is listening to NPR. Sometimes passengers just sleep, or listen to their iPods/​MP3 players.
But we are all there for a common reason… do be environmentally conscious by carpooling and saving petrol/​fuel, as well as saving time, and of course, saving money! It’s like 99% free for the 2 or 3 passengers! Out of all the times I’ve done the Casual CarPool, only once (1 time), have I ever had to «donate» the US$ 1.00 to the driver… only because the lady in the back seat offered her money, so I felt bad and I followed suit. However, for the most part, most people don’t offer or pay because without us passengers, the Driver of the car would have to pay the US$ 6.00 to cross the SF Bay Bridge, but more importantly, would have to SIT IN TRAFFIC as the driver could not legally go into the CarPool lane, without risking getting a US$ 386 fine for wrongfully using the CarPool lane!
For the most part, it’s been pleasant, fast, environmentally friendly, cost saving, and convenient. I recommend this to anyone needing to go to SF in the mornings and flexible on the mode of transportation on the return. For me, if I do the Casual CarPool in the morning, I take Public Transportation home (either the AC Transit O Line, OX, W, or BART then AC Transit, or another line to Oakland then connect to the 51, 51A, or 51B). It’s REALLY CONVENIENT LIVING ON THE ISLAND ALAMEDA (94 501), the BEST PLACE ON EARTH!
And recently voted the #7 COOLEST SUBURB IN AMERICA!