 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
How to use myGreenRide.net
Table of Contents
Introduction
myGreenRide is a free web service that provides tools for people to find other people who want to carpool. Most people who carpool want to share rides with others while going to and from work. However, myGreenRide also supports one time and one-way trips as well.
myGreenRide uses Google Maps to display the starting and ending locations of the ride. People can look at the map and see if there is a ride that closely matches their needs.
The easiest way to use myGreenRide is to first look on the web site to see if someone has posted a ride that meets your needs. If you can't find a ride, then you create your own ride on this web site so others can find you.
How to Find a Ride
-
Enter Search Information
Searching for rides is easy. Click on the Find Driver / Rider button on the top menu to display the Find a Driver or Rider web page.
Select the Type of Ride you are looking for. Do you want to find a driver, a rider or either one?
Enter the starting and/or the ending address for the ride. Street can be an exact location, like 123 Main St. or an intersection, like Main St. & Broadway Rd. Enter the City and State.
MyGreenRide allows for general searches. This is done by leaving Street blank and entering only City and State. Similarly, you can enter Zip to look for rides in your zip code area.
Click on the Find Rides button to see search results.
-
Show Available Rides
myGreenRide takes the Start Address and End Address you entered and searches for rides that are located close by. It displays the search results on Google Maps that provides the usual Google Maps controls in the upper left corner of the map. You can zoom in or out on the map as well as scroll around using the arrows or by grabbing and pulling the map.
The area that is searched is marked with a green circle (for the Start Address) and a red circle (for the End Address). The Start and End Addresses are marked with the X icon.
Potential rides are marked with a numbered icon. Driving routes are shown with a blue line. To display a balloon pop-up window showing ride details, click on the numbered icon.
The Change Search button takes you back to the screen where you entered search information.
You can expand (or shrink) the search area by selecting a new Select Search Radius value. After selecting a new radius, click on the Search Again button.
This page also shows the estimated travel Distance and Travel Time between the Start Address and End Address.
If a lot of rides are found, the ride results are divided into Groups. You can display these different groups by selecting the
<< Show Prev Group or Show Next Group >> buttons.If no rides are found then you can create your own ride so that others can find your ride. Create a ride by clicking on the Create Ride button on the top menu. You must be a member of myGreenRide to create a ride.
-
Show One Ride
When you see a promising ride, click on the numbered icon on the map. A balloon pop-up window appears. Click on Show ride details in the balloon and all the details about that ride are shown on a new window.
The single ride is shown on Google Maps and details about the ride are shown below the map. If this ride meets your needs, you can send a message to that person using the Contact Info field. Notice the eMail address is "blurred" with xxx's, to protect the privacy of that user. You must be a member of myGreenRide to send a message to other myGreenRide members.
When you send a message, you have the option to reveal your eMail and/or phone number to the message recipient. This allows direct communication between myGreenRide members without using this web site.
How to Create a Ride
-
Enter Ride Information
If you cannot find a ride you need, you can enter a ride. You must be a member of myGreenRide to create a ride.
If you just searched for a ride, you can click on the X icon on Google Maps and display a balloon pop-up window. Click on Create a ride to copy this ride information the the Enter Ride Info screen.
Creating a ride is easy. Create a Ride button on the top menu to display the Enter Ride Info web page. You must be a member of myGreenRide to create a ride.
Use the Enter Ride Info screen to enter all information about the ride.
Type of Sharing - Offer to be a passenger, driver or either.
Your email public - You can make your email available to others, including non-members of myGreenRide, by checking this box.
Your phone # public - You can make your phone number available to others, including non-members of myGreenRide, by checking this box.
Start Address - Starting location of ride. Exact address will always be blurred with an X.
Start Address - Ending location of ride. Exact address will always be blurred with an X.
Purpose of Ride - Labels what ride is for.
Frequency - How often ride will occur.
Leave / Return Date - Use for a ride that occurs once.
Leave / Return Time - When you need to leave and return. Might be flexible for long trips.
Name of Ride - As a reminder to you.
Ride Description - Helps others understand nature of the ride.
Restrictions - Restrictions you place on the ride. Matching driver and rider emails is useful for finding others who work or go to school at the same location.
When you are done entering information, select the Enter Ride button.
-
Confirm A Ride
myGreenRide validates the address with Google Maps and displays the Start and End Address on Google Maps, along with the ride locations, suggested route and estimated travel distance and time. An error message will be displayed if Google Maps cannot find either of the addresses that were entered.
If everything looks correct, select the Confirm Ride button. Otherwise, select Change Ride to modify the ride information.
How to Join myGreenRide
Joining myGreenRide is free! Click on the Sign Up button on the top menu to display the Sign Up web page.
-
Fill Out Account Information
Provide the information shown on the right. Phone number is optional. Gender is used to match rides for those who want to ride only with others of the same gender. Read and select Agree with Terms and Conditions. Terms and Conditions can be read here. Select Sign Up and an email will be sent to you to confirm your account and email. |
 |
- Confirm Email
When the email arrives, click on the Confirm Sign Up button in the email to complete the membership registration process.
How to Manage Your Rides and Account
- Manage Your Account
Select the My Account button on the top web site menu and select the Change Account button on that page. This will display the Account Information screen where you can change your account information. If you change your email, you will be sent an email to confirm the change in email. Select the Confirm Email button in the email to complete the email change process.
- Manage Your Rides
Select the My Account button on the top web site menu and select the My Rides button on that page. If you have more than one ride, all rides will be shown on Google Maps. When you see the ride you want to change, click on the numbered icon on the map. A balloon pop-up window appears. Click on Show ride details in the balloon and all the details about that ride are shown on a new window. Select the Change My Ride button to change the ride details. Select Delete My Ride button to remove that ride.