HPU GreenRide FAQ
Who can use HPU GreenRide?
The HPU GreenRide ridematching system was developed to include those people living and/or working in the Hawai‘i Pacific University. All residents and employees within Hawai‘i Pacific University Service Region are encouraged to try the new system.
Is HPU GreenRide available to people living or working outside Hawai‘i Pacific University Service Region?
Yes. The geographic coverage for the HPU GreenRide system was purposely set up to include an area outside the boundaries of Hawai‘i Pacific University Region that would fall within about an hours commute of downtown.
What are the benefits of carpooling?
Carpooling lets you share the cost of driving; it provides you with company for your commute and saves you money. It is often the perfect solution for commuters located far from their worksite or without access to transit service. In some families carpooling to work avoids the need for a second car.
Is there a charge to use HPU GreenRide?
There is no charge to use HPU GreenRide
Why is HPU GreenRide one of the most advanced in the world?
HPU GreenRide uses state-of-the-art geocoding technology, searches for matches along a route from your origin to your destination, and offers extensive user-controlled search defining abilities. It defaults to searches within employer groups and maximizes accessibility and usability for users.
How do I use HPU GreenRide?
Registering with HPU GreenRide is fast, easy and simple. Follow these easy steps:
First time users:
- Click on "Register as a new user" at the top of any page.
- Enter your work or student email address and select a non-HPU personal password.
Note: This site is only for use by faculty, staff or students of HPU who have an email account ending in @hpu.edu or @my.hpu.edu.
- Enter your personal profile information such as gender, driver or passenger preference, etc.
- Enter your address information including:
- Select "Search for matches"
- The system will return a list of potential carpool partners, based on your defined search criteria. You may modify or change any of this data to better narrow down your search.
- To contact a person from your matchlist, select "email this person". The email is sent from you to the contact directly from the system. The contact is then able to reply directly to you. This is the methodology that systems such as EBay use to communicate between a buyer and a seller.
Registered Users:
- Login with your UserID and non-HPU personal password.
- Click on "Search for Matches"
- Select the method of transportation you would like to find partners in
- Email users who match your search and see if you can start or join a carpool!
I forgot my UserID. What can I do?
Remember that your UserID is also your email address. If you still can't log in, try resetting your password. If you are sure that you don't know what email address you used, email us using the "Contact Us" form at the bottom of every page.
I forgot my Password. What can I do?
In the login form, simply click on "I forgot my password". Enter your email address in the form, and the password which corresponds to that email address will be immediately mailed to you.
Why do you recommend that I use my work/school email address?
All email addresses require confirmation before the system enables you to search for carpoolers. Often people searching for carpool partners are most comfortable searching for other employees or students of the same location. Email verification will be used to ensure that people who want to search within their own employer group are doing so with validated registrants.
Why can't I search for carpool partners immediately upon registering?
Before registrants are permitted to search for carpool partners, the system will send an email to validate the email addresses entered. When you receive the email you need to click on the activation link to enable the search feature.
How does HPU GreenRide find carpool matches?
HPU GreenRide is one of the most advanced ridematching systems in existence today. Your origin and destination are geocoded to a corresponding latitude and longitude coordinate. A 'route' from your origin to work is evaluated. The system will match within a user-defined distance from your origin, destination and along your route.
What if I don't want other people to find me in searches because I've found a carpool partner or I'm not able to carpool right now?
Simply go to edit your trip profile and uncheck the box that says "I am actively looking for a carpool partner".
Is my information private?
Yes. Rest assured that all of your data is secured to a very high level using the same technologies that on-line banking and major on-line merchants utilize. No information provided during registration will be provided to any external agency at any time. For monitoring purposes aggregate data only will be used to evaluate and assess the ridematching system.
What about car insurance?
Personal or corporate vehicle insurance is dependent upon your policy. Therefore it is strongly recommended that you check with your insurance provider prior to initiating any carpool. HPU GreenRide assumes no responsibility for insurance issues.
What if I only want to match with people from my workplace?
If you register using your work email address and leave the button checked that says “search only within my employer group” the default settings of the system will search only within your own employer group. If you uncheck this box, you will be matched with everyone in the system that is looking for a carpool partner outside of their own specific employer.
Note for Federal Government Employees: Your employer group is the Federal Government. To select a match that meets your site specifically, select "match my worksite exactly" under advanced settings when searching for a match.
I registered using my email home address, but want to match within my employer group.
Simply click on the “Change UserID and Password” button and modify your UserID. You will immediately receive an email which will ask you to click on a provided link to confirm your modified email address is functional. You will also receive another email which will contain your UserID and Password. Please save this email for future reference.
What if I don't find a match?
First, make sure you've tried adjusting your search settings. The default setting searches within 2 miles from where you live or work or 2 miles along your route. You can expand or reduce these search distances through "Advanced options" when searching for matches. If you still don't find a match, try searching again in a week or two. New users are always registering and adding new trips, so don't give up if you're not immediately successful. Make sure your profile is visible so that others can contact you too.
Will encouraging carpooling reduce transit use?
HPU GreenRide is all about improving the travel options for commuters. Typically carpoolers are those whose origin, destination or working hours are not conducive to using transit. There have been no known studies that demonstrate a correlation between a ridematching system and reduced transit use. In fact, when more options are available to commuters some may find that by carpooling on some days they are more likely to use transit on the days they don't carpool. A ridematching system provides increased opportunities for carpooling only.
How do I get help if I'm having technical problems?
If you're experiencing any problems click on the help link at the bottom of the page to email technical support.
Who do I contact if I have comments or general questions?
Click on the Contact link at the bottom of the page to email the HPU GreenRide staff.
What is RideShark Corporation?
RideShark Corporation is the developer of the HPU GreenRide application and hosts the application database. RideShark Corporation is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.