Previously called RideWith, Waze Carpool was first launched in Israel back in 2015. It has since rolled out to other countries, including Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.
In its latest release, Waze Carpool brings in a most requested feature, which will allow drivers to invite multiple passengers to carpool at once.
More Streamlined Carpooling
Before the update, Waze Carpool drivers can only pick up one passenger at a time, only after which other riders can request to join in. Now, Carpool makes things a lot easier, as drivers can invite four passengers in just a couple of taps.
Once a trip's destination is confirmed, drivers can tap the "+" icon to invite more riders to join a single route "with minimal detour." To adjust available seats for carpooling, just head on to the Carpool settings located at the top right of the app's Calendar view.
"With more riders on board, you can now save even more on your commute. Fill up to four seats in a carpool, and get a little extra with each rider — keeping in mind that prices are adjusted, so they don't exceed the total sum of gas and wear & tear," Waze said in a press release.
Drive In The Express Lane
This update is quite useful, especially for those who want to use the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. For the uninitiated, HOV lanes require at least three passengers in a single vehicle, and with the new Waze Carpool update, drivers can easily cruise along these express lanes to get to their workplace faster. It's also worth mentioning that Waze already has an option that enables drivers to choose routes with HOV lanes.
Aside from this, the update also works with the Waze's other smart routing features, including the app's collaboration with Transport for London. This feature will show detours that will let drivers avoid the city's new low-emission zones.
The update is currently rolling out in all countries where Waze Carpool is available.
