U-Va. connects carpoolers online

The University of Virginia is offering an online service that connects carpool partners and rewards people for keeping their vehicles at home.

The university has contracted with Connecticut-based NuRide, which is available to U.Va. employees, students and residents of the city of Charlottesville and nearby Albemarle, Greene, Nelson, Orange, Madison, Fluvanna and Louisa counties.

Members can use the NuRide site to find carpool partners, as well as people to share one-time trips. Users accumulate points they can redeem for merchandise discounts with local and national vendors when they carpool, take public transportation, ride their bicycle or telecommute.

NuRide has about 50,000 members in 10 markets and has contracts with Washington, D.C., and Richmond, among others. It recently announced an agreement with the state of Massachusetts.

-- Associated Press