CARPOOL is excited to announce that they are relocating their base of operations to a facility more suited to supporting their mission for years to come. In May of 2017, the Texas A&M University Department of Student Activities and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs declared their support for the Texas A&M safe-ride program.

CARPOOL is a student-run 501(c)3 non-profit organization and recognized student organization at Texas A&M, whose mission is to facilitate a safe and reliable commuting environment in Bryan/College Station, TX. The organization accomplishes this by providing free, safe, non-judgmental rides home to intoxicated patrons and/or patrons rendered incapable of transportation due to other circumstances.

The student volunteers work on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, from 10pm-3am, during the fall and spring semesters at Texas A&M. Last school year alone, CARPOOL gave 12,016 rides, bringing their seventeen-year total to 269,194 rides. They run an average of ten cars per night, and manage an annual budget of $180,000.00.

For the last ten years, CARPOOL has operated out of a university property, “The Schmidt,” which is managed by the Department of Student Activities. During their occupation of The Schmidt, CARPOOL routinely paid all bills, reported maintenance issues, and worked with the local residential community to accommodate their operations to the needs of their neighbors. However, due to the age and deteriorated condition of the property, it was decided by the Department of Student Activities and CARPOOL’s Board of Directors that CARPOOL had to vacate The Schmidt by August 1, 2018.

CARPOOL’s Board of Directors worked diligently through the 2017 summer to draft plans for a new base of operations, to be built less than a mile outside of College Station’s city limits.

The new facility will be a 6,250 sq ft metal building, designed to outlast the wear and tear of regular CARPOOL operations longer than any house could. The facility will be comprised of a conference room, kitchen, phone room, media room, four cubicle rooms, seven storage rooms, a parking lot capable of accommodating a fleet of up to sixty rental cars, and a dance hall. The dance hall is a separate entity within the facility, to be used exclusively by another Texas A&M student organization, the Aggie Wranglers, for lessons, storage, and practice. The Wranglers are partnering with CARPOOL to fundraise for their space.

To build this facility, CARPOOL is seeking the help of donors to fund the project, with the hopes of completing fundraising and beginning construction in February of 2018. CARPOOL has already set aside all funds required to purchase the land for this endeavor, and are in the process of finishing up their contract.

CARPOOL is in a stable financial position for operations and is looking to raise the money for the building process. Donors will receive continuous updates throughout the year, and are eligible for benefits ranging from having their name engraved on a plaque in the facility, to having an entire room named in their honor in appreciation for their contribution to securing a permanent home for CARPOOL. 

Please click here to view our packet for more information regarding our new facility.

If you wish to donate online to the facility, click here.

For questions regarding the new facility, CARPOOL’s operations, or how to donate please contact the Chair of CARPOOL, Joshua Fernandez de la Vega. 

To see more of what CARPOOL does or to stay updated, please visit our website at carpool.tamu.edu and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @tamucarpool.

Crediting Jim Woods Construction