New Web Tool Aims To Help Busy Parents Organize Kids' Carpools

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- For millions of American parents who ferry their children to and from school, soccer practice and birthday parties, organizing a carpool can be a logistical challenge.

If you are struggling with driving your kids to various activities - which usually start at the same time at opposite points of the compass -- or simply yearn for some free moments for yourself, a solution may be within sight.

Divide The Ride (www.dividetheride.com) is a carpooling Web site designed to help busy parents by drawing up shared calendars based on their availability and their kids' schedules. It works much like a personal planner by letting each user choose electronically who makes up his or her carpool, linking families who know and trust each other, and creating a schedule of driving assignments in sync with everyone's individual needs. As soon as all the information is collected, the schedule is emailed to everyone in the group along with text messages and email reminders.

Divide The Ride is a resource "for parents who are looking for a simple and uncomplicated way to organize their life while gaining some much needed time back for themselves," says Web site founder Bryn Tindall. The parent of two young boys himself, Tindall realized firsthand the need for an updated way for organizing carpools.

Unlike traditional carpool planning, the Web site takes only a few moments to produce a schedule once every group member has entered his or her driving availability. Members can track the number of miles they have saved, how many rides their group has shared, and how many gallons of gas they have spared in a year. Using the technology is free, and all shared information -- such as names, pick-up points, and destinations -- is limited to the members of the group.

Besides scheduling carpools, the Web site offers advice on healthy living, taking time for yourself, time management and "going green."

Divide The Ride was launched last October and already has users in all 50 states. The largest numbers of participants live in California, New York, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Florida.

By Marshall Loeb