 | | PICTURE SPEAK | |  | | WANT A RIDE?: Members show their ID cards prior to setting off | | In the passing away of Ustad Bismillah A lot can happen in a pool. You might make new friends, find a date or strike a business deal," jokes Rishi Aggarwal, founder-member of the Mumbai Environmental and Social Network, the NGO which recently launched a car pool system in the city called Kool Pool. For an annual fee, Mumbaikars can register as members of this citywide pool. The system incorporates 65 routes and members can SMS individual route number and time of departure to a central network to match their requirement with that of other travellers. Each member is provided with an identification number to facilitate communication with others taking the same route. Currently offering a three-month trial run to over 200 applicants, the facility has been restricted to people employed in well-known organisations. "Verification of member credentials is easier when an organisation vouches for them," says Aggarwal. But even as the concept gains ground, it has invited mixed reactions-some feel it intrudes on privacy while others believe it is an opportunity to meet new people. An insurance agent is excited at the thought of selling his policies to fellow travellers, while others are simply happy to be spared the hassle of driving to work everyday. More so considering the monetary benefits: in Kool Pool, a one-way trip costs Rs 30 irrespective of the distance. Dr Rajan Kothari, who travels a distance of almost 20 km from Dadar to Nariman Point, says: "With the car pool, I end up saving almost Rs 150 everyday." Women commuters can opt for an all-women car. "Then you don't have strange men sticking to you throughout the journey," says Toral Jain, a chartered accountant. But there are those who balk at the thought of travelling with strangers. "The hour-long drive home is the only time I get for myself, so I'd rather spend it chatting on the phone or listening to music instead of being surrounded by people," says Vikas Choudhary, a businessman who drives everyday from Bandra to Churchgate, approximately 17 km. Unarguably, the one big benefit of the car pool system is its contribution towards a cleaner environment-it can drastically reduce the number of cars on the roads and, thereby, cut down on air pollution. Given that petrol and diesel prices have been steadily rising, pooling also cuts down on fuel cost and consumption. Sure makes for sound sense. Index
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