New Web Site Helps Commuters and Businesses Find Southland Rideshare Information

New Web Site Helps Commuters and Businesses Find Southland Rideshare Information

* Tools Help Commuters Find Rideshare Partners, Carpool Lanes, Park Ride Lots, Bike Paths, Transit and More

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The following press release is issued on the behalf of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority:

Southland commuters and businesses have a new online resource for battling traffic. A new web site, sponsored by the region's five transportation agencies, provides all the resources needed to start ridesharing today.

WWW.COMMUTESMART.INFO is the result of Metro and other transportation agencies' collective effort to tempt more solo commuters from their vehicles. It is estimated that 73% of the traffic on Southland freeways comes from single passenger vehicles. With only a small increase in ridesharing, regional traffic congestion could be reduced dramatically.

The site brings together several key services for ride sharing, traffic monitoring, transit, and bicycling.

"Commutesmart.info gives users a single online location to solve commuting problems throughout Southern California," said David Sutton, Metro Employer Programs Executive Manager. "All of the region's transportation agencies are working together and combining resources to make it as easy as possible for everyone to explore the many alternatives to driving alone."

The region's ride matching web site, for example, has been rolled into the new site's functionality. Commuters interested in car or vanpooling can register online and receive a customized list of potential rideshare partners in their area.

Users can access resources to find carpool and bicycle lanes, park & ride lots and vanpool leasing companies. FAQs provide all the "How-To" information commuters need to know to get started.

Carpoolers and others can get real-time traffic information online and see how their daily commutes will be affected by the latest traffic jams. Freeway maps indicate where all Southland freeway incidents and sig alerts have occurred, revealing the average miles per hour commuters can expect when driving in either freeway direction.

Commuters interested in counting the cost of driving alone can use the Commute Calculator, which computes gasoline costs, monthly parking fees and number of commute miles, among other things, to provide the estimated monthly and yearly cost of commuting alone. Results also show yearly savings by commuting with one or more persons.

The site is also an excellent resource for employers, with all the tools and support they need to offer ridesharing solutions as an employee benefit or for mandated trip reduction goals.

A section on the web site is designed for businesses interested in obtaining the tools they need to develop and manage effective rideshare programs. Employers may access a free monthly e-newsletter with news on regional ridesharing programs and events and download a version to send to company employees.

The web site is a joint partnership among Metro, Orange County Transportation Authority, Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino Associated Governments and Ventura County Transportation Commission, and is a featured part of a new rideshare ad campaign called "Pick a Day, Any Day to Rideshare" now airing on Southland radio stations.

For more information on Metro Rideshare Programs, visit WWW.METRO.NET or call 1-800-C-O-M-M-U-T-E (Option #3).


Source: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

CONTACT: Dave Sotero, +1-213-922-3007, or Marc Littman, +1-213-922-2700,
both of Metro Media Relations, mediarelations@metro.net

Web site: http://www.commutesmart.info/
http://www.metro.net/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media website: metro.net/press/pressroom

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