Ruth Reiman

The carpooling program, called Central Indiana Commuter Services and administered by IndyGo, has typically added an average of 215 people to its electronic database of commuters each month, said Ruth Reiman, the program's manager.

In comparison, it signed up 272 people in August.And this week alone, the service registered 165 new commuters through Thursday at a rate that quickened to 10 per hour late in the week, Reiman said.The momentum, she said, was fed largely by the anticipation of further gasoline price hikes in Katrina's wake.

The commuter service seeks to match potential carpoolers and vanpoolers by using an online database that has gradually expanded since the program's inception in November.

Participating businesses have the option of offering their employees transit subsidies or pre-tax savings accounts that they can devote to transit use.

The database -- which also includes transit riders, bicyclists and others seeking alternatives to driving -- comprised about 2,300 people as of this week, Reiman said.

Recent increases in gasoline prices have spurred interest in the carpooling program among some area businesses.