My One-Time Rides Guide – Pace Commuter Rideshare Help & Support

The Pace Commuter Rideshare platform includes a carpool one-time rides tool that helps commuters in the Chicago region create, request or offer a one-time carpool ride. 

Using this tool, you can enter your trip details, search for matches, and connect with other commuters to coordinate a shared ride for a single trip. Once a match is found, you can message the other commuter to finalize details such as timing, pickup location and cost-sharing. 

This one-time ride tool makes it easy to arrange a shared ride when your travel needs differ from your regular commute. 

One-time ride requests rely on participation from coworkers and classmates. When employers or schools encourage registration, more ride match opportunities become available. The more people who participate and are willing to help with occasional trips, the greater the chance of finding a ride match.

Ways to Request or Offer a One-Time Carpool Ride

There are two ways to use the one-time rides tool:

• In the My Travel Tool section, open the Commute Preferences icon and select Yes for one-time trips that align with your regular commute. 
• Create a custom trip using the One-Time Ride tool for travel that differs from your saved commute preferences. 

How My One-Time Rides Tool Works

Step 1: Create an Account

Visit PaceCommuterRideshare.com and sign up to access the one-time rides tool.  

Step 2: Open the One-Time Rides Tool

Select My One-Time Rides from the main menu or Search Rides in the My Travel Tools section.

Step 3: Choose Your Type of Ride

Select your preferred option: carpool or transit (bus and train). The bike partner option is intended for workplaces or schools or organizations that support bike commuting programs.  

Step 4: Enter Your Trip Details

Enter your start and end locations, along with your desired arrival time.  

For one-time carpool searches:

• Check Can drive if you are offering a ride.
• Leave it unchecked if you are requesting a ride

Click Search to find potential one-time ride matches.

Advanced Search Options: 

Refine your search to improve results when using the one-time rides tool:

Transit: adjust how far you are willing to walk to and from a bus or train stop.

Carpools options:

• Origin/Destination radius – expand your search area around your start and end points
• Max detour – how far you’re willing to travel off route
• Time flexibility – how flexible your arrival time is

Pro tips: 

Setting the time flexibility to 0 minutes searches only for exact matches to the arrival time. 

Entering 30 minutes shows options with a 30-minute range before or after your selected time.

Step 5: Review Your Search Results

For carpool matches, browse matches and take action.

• Send a ride request or invitation
• Message others directly
• Coordinate trip details together
• Update or cancel your request anytime
• Check responses using the Check Status feature

Once you agree on a shared ride, the system sends a confirmation email so you can finalize your one-time carpool arrangement.

My One-Time Rides FAQs – Pace Commuter Rideshare Help & Support

Is there a one-time ride option for Pace Vanpools?

Yes, Pace offers VanGo, a flexible commuter option that allows you to reserve a Pace van for round-trip travel within a designated zone. This service is separate from the one-time rides tool, which focuses on creating or requesting individual carpool rides.

Is a one-time carpool ride the same as Uber or Lyft?

No. This one-time carpool rides tool is not a ride-hailing service.

• Pace does not dispatch drivers
• There is no real-time tracking
• Payments are not handled through the platform
• Drivers are not employed or screened by Pace

Instead, this tool helps commuters:

• Request or offer rides
• Connect with each other
• Coordinate their own trips

This model works especially well for workplaces or schools where many commuters are signing up at the same time, increasing the likelihood of matches.

Do I pay for the carpool one-time ride?

Payment arrangements are handled directly between the rider and driver. Pace does not set rates or collect payments. To estimate a fair rate, you may review the AAA's average cost per mile.

What if I don't find a one-time match?

Check your spam folder for missed messages. Adjust your trip details (time, location, flexibility) and search again using broader settings.

You can also encourage participation by:

• Promoting the tool at your workplace or school
• Partnering with HR teams or administrators
• Hosting commuter events

Higher participation leads to more matches.

What should I consider before accepting a one-time ride?

Before confirming a ride, consider:

• Reliability: Can you meet the agreed time and location?
• Flexibility: Are you open to small schedule adjustments or alternative pickup points?
• Coordination: Can you communicate clearly with the other commuter?