What do I do in this situation? Please help!

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

I have been volunteering with something that is organised through work. It is done during the working day and I commute to and from this activity using my own car. I would normally drive into work on the days when I'm not doing this activity so the fact that I'm in the car going to and from this activity would be the norm.

A colleague who is also volunteering at this activity has seen me as the taxi service to get to and from this activity.

I don't want to be seen as her chauffeur (or anyone elses either). I didn't mind taking her once or twice but every week that we're both doing this activity, she contacts me directly asking if she can get a lift.

So far today, from her I've had one phone call where she left a message, one missed call and one email all asking the same thing.

How do I get out of this situation while remaining friendly to her (as I don't want the atmosphere to change when we are both at this activity)?

Why not suggest you take it in turns - 'Hi Anna, I've driven you for x weeks now! Isn't it your turn?' and see what she says.

Just talk to her. Ask her to take it in turns or to pay half the petrol. I find a lot of people are rude in this way because they simply haven't realised that there is an issue.

Personally, I am very polite and would always offer money or to share because that's the way I am. As I've grown up I've realised that a lot of people aren't wired like that - some people have to be asked. It doesn't mean they aren't kind or willing, they are just oblivious.

A simple conversation would likely solve this.

But it’s not really about sharing costs or alternating lifts - it’s just about how politely to decline giving a lift because you don’t want to and when there’s no other compelling reason to decline to give a lift