FORT MYERS, Fla. - With gas prices on the rise and parking always a premium,  Florida Gulf Coast University has created a carpooling solution.

Ride2FGCU makes it easier for students and staff to get a lift to and from campus and uses social media to help drivers find their perfect match.

"It matches where they're coming from, as well as when they are coming to campus and it's also good for one time trips," said Kathleen Crawford, Sustainability Coordinator for the university.

The ride match program began as a sustainability initiative, but rising gas prices changed that.

"It really quickly became an economic issue for our students," Crawford said.

85 people have recently gone on to find matches online.  Nine since yesterday.

"With our system, it matches where people are coming from and their specific schedule," she said.

Kacie Ferracci, a Junior nursing student, says she hopes to find her match soon to "Cut down on costs and also, there's not a whole lot of parking on campus."

It's not just for students, full-time library cashier, Elizabeth Daly, has been carpooling for over a year.

"You have to find the right person who's traveling the same time as you, which I did and it is a very great saving.  You have company to be with you," Daly said.

With 25% of students living on campus without cars, new this year, the university has another solution.  The WeCar.
Students can rent a car at an hourly rate.

Students pay an annual rate of $35 for use the WeCar  It's only $9 an hour and that's including gas.  In addition to the cars, FGCU will also be renting out bikes.