Public encouraged to celebrate, use RideShare option

One day a week can produce important savings

With the rising cost of gas and the desire to ‘go green,’ ridesharing has become much more prevalent and practical in Idaho. The Community Transportation Association of Idaho(CTAI) oversees Idaho Rideshare program as a free, online resource that helps commuters find the right person to share a ride by creating a carpool or vanpool through http://idahorideshare.org.

Join CTAI as it celebrates Idaho’s first RideShare week October 7-13. Individuals and businesses can participate by doing the following:

  • Just one day a week matters! Commuters across Idaho that rideshare (carpool, vanpool), take transit, bike, or walk to work just 1 day between October 7th - 13th, are eligible to win prizes!
  • Idahoans must register on Idahorideshare.org and log their commute in the calendar to win.
  • Businesses can participate in the Employer Challenge as well. If they win, the businesses will be promoted statewide for being socially and environmentally responsible and their employees will gain an extra chance to win!
  • Gift cards will be awarded throughout the state.

Idaho Rideshare allows users to map out their travels, from a weekly schedule for work, a special event, – like a BSU sports game – or a one-time trip across the state. Once mapped out, users can select preferences on who they’d like to ride with, if they’d like to drive, and times for when they’d like to depart or arrive. As soon as the trip is created, Idaho Rideshare finds individuals with similar travel schedules and compares their routes until the best match is found.

Data has shown sharing rides can increase employee wellness, productivity and retention; creating a benefit to the employee and the company. Employees also reduce cost associated with driving their own vehicle and can receive monthly tax benefits.

“By changing your commuting habits even one day a week, you can save money, reduce wear and tear on your car and shrink your personal carbon footprint by 20 percent,” Wheeler said. “We encourage Idahoans to participate in the challenge next week and continue using it as a regular part of their commute!”

Published 10-5-2012