The other day, I wrote a post about Zimride, a new online carpool app that integrates with Facebook to match up riders and drivers. I knew when I wrote that post that I had seen another similar program in the iTunes Application store, but couldn't remember the name at the time. Well, thanks to the people behind that iPhone/iPod Touch app (who are apparently AutoblogGreen readers and wrote in to remind me what I'd seen) I can now confidently say that what I'd seen was called Carticipate.

I downloaded the app (it's free) and fiddled with it for a while. The controls seem all right, but the biggest problem is that there are no rides or riders available in my area. As Carticipate's Steffen wrote in to us, the production version of the app has only been out about two weeks, so we might need to wait a while to see if this "experiment in social transportation (TM)" is something worth logging onto. Anyone else tried it?

[Source: Carticipate]

Pennsylvanians who want to take one of the easiest possible steps to reduce vehicle emissions, congestion and fuel use (I'm talking about carpooling here) are getting a push from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The PA DEP's is promoting a summer-long "Share the Ride Challenge" that targets Susquehanna Valley commuters. The Challenge starts tomorrow and officially continues through September 30 and asks people to carpool or use public transportation at least ten times in those 22 weeks. Is that even a challenge? Ten times? Baby steps, I guess. Ambitious commuters could knock ten rides down in two weeks. If you'd like to participate, visit the Challenge website and register an account. Prizes include restaurant gift cards, free gas (oh, the irony) and more. Even though the prizes end in September, there's really no limit as to when carpooling makes sense.

[Source: PA DEP / Yahoo]

Earlier this month, we found out that the city of Mumbai in India was offering some cool perks for those willing to carpool. We thought that this was a pretty cool idea, so we are pretty keen on the thought that the U.S. is getting something similar. So far only available in one state, NuRide and Dunkin' Donuts have teamed up to offer discounts at Dunkin' Donuts locations for those carpoolers-in-Connecticut who'd like to save $5.00 off a "Box 'O Joe" and a dozen donuts.

If you'd like to get in on the free coffee and donuts (and who wouldn't?), visit NuRide.com and look for other people who are looking to share a ride. If you don't happen to live in Connecticut, other sponsors have signed on that may offer specials in your area.

[Source: NuRide]