With gas prices hovering near $4 a gallon, most drivers aren't too happy. Now alot of car owners are turning to alternative forms of transportation to get where they need to go.

For Morgantown resident, Nick Hein, carpooling was a blessing when heading to work. After being warned of the dangers of riding his bike around the area, he started riding to work with a coworker. Hein says " "I figured we were
going to the same place, at the same time, on the same route we might as well go in the same car. It was a wonderful thing."

Nick is the director of an organization called Positive Spin. The group promotes public transportation, bike riding, and carpooling both for the good of your budget and the environment.

The biggest need for carpooling right now is of course to save money. Hein says " most people really don't keep track of it. Typically they spend $7,000 to $9000 a year for a car on transportation expenses. Anyone who's making less than 20-thousand dollars a year really can't afford to own a car without going into debt."

Carpooling can be hard for states like West Virginia that have widespread rural areas. But, Hein says "carpooling works when you make it work. Yes, I had to look around to find people that were willing to share a ride. It's something you really look forward to. Knowing that you're making a difference in the environment, that your helping your own household budge, and that talking with another coworker helps build community too."

Positive Spin has set up a forum on it's website to promote carpooling, but it hasn't had much success yet.

The West Virginia Division of Energy also has a program called "Ride Share" that helps state employees find a ride to work online.

You can visit those sites at:
www.positivespin.org

www.energywv.com