Casual carpool makes a comeback amid back-to-office push

Catch up quick: The longtime low-cost commuter hack where San Francisco-bound strangers take car rides to work together across the Bay Bridge stems back to the 1970s when heavy traffic and bridge tolls were at an all-time high.

How it works: Drivers pull up to a designated pickup zone during weekday carpool hours — the most congested travel times on the Bay Bridge — and offer rides into downtown San Francisco.

• Riders hop in for free or pitch in a small donation toward the discounted $4 carpool lane toll, which costs half the regular rate.
• Participation is voluntary, and everyone is responsible for their own safety and belongings. The grassroots, informal effort means there's no app, no sign-up and no fees.

What they're saying: "There's this level of trust with casual carpool. ... You're getting in the car with a neighbor, a fellow worker, a fellow commuter," East Bay resident and organizer Camille Bermudez told the San Francisco Chronicle back in June.

What's next: If the first location proves popular, organizers hope to keep expanding to other East Bay hubs in Emeryville, Berkeley, Piedmont and more.

If you go: Daily pickup runs from 5am-10am at 533 Lake Park Ave. in Oakland and from 3pm-7pm at 216 Beal St. in San Francisco.