A local grassroots initiative is hoping to reduce the number of vehicles on Pembina Valley roads.

Rochelle Drudge has started the Southern MB Carpooling group for people interested in sharing rides in the region and to and from Winnipeg.

She notes with two daughters commuting to Winnipeg for school they regularly called friends and acquaintances to organize rides. "This was one of those days we were trying to do that and we said, "enough complaining that there isn't something like this," and I sat down and made a group."

Currently, the group is by invite only but Drudge says she looks forward to seeing it grow.

"It seems like there's interest out there for carpooling," she says, adding the group is simply a way to work out the logistics for drivers and passengers to connect.

Along with the convenience, Drudge says it's an opportunity to reduce emissions. "There's a number of people who care about that issue enough to go out of their way to pick someone up."

Drudge says giving a neighbour a ride is also a unique way to build community while saving money.