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Board approves license for statewide Rideshare

The Idaho Transportation Board last week unanimously approved the statewide licensing of “Rideshareonline.com” as a Web based ride-match system in support of local rideshare programs throughout the state of Idaho and Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter’s Trip Reduction Policy.

Ride-sharing refers to carpooling and vanpooling in which vehicles carry additional passengers. Carpooling uses participants’ own automobiles while vanpooling usually uses vans often supplied by employers, non-profit organizations or government agencies.

Ride-sharing tends to have the lowest cost per passenger-mile of any motorized mode of transportation and has minimal incremental costs for the rider because it makes use of vehicle seats that otherwise would be unoccupied.

Sharing your ride with others can typically reduce up to 8.3 percent of commute vehicle miles traveled, up to 3.6 percent of total regional vehicle miles traveled and up to 1.8 percent of regional vehicle trips.

Participating in a ride-share program also is an important mobility option for non-drivers, particularly in small towns and rural areas where notices are often posted on bulletin boards and travel needs are shared through informal networks.

Ride-sharing can reduce peak-period vehicle trips and increase the travel choices of commuters. It reduces commute costs, commute time, congestion, road and parking facility costs, crash risk and pollution emissions. Rideshare programs can be appropriate in most geographic areas and tends to be particularly effective at serving rural and relatively dispersed suburban destinations.

Ride-matching is the process of creating rideshare opportunities. Rideshareonline.com is an established ride-match program that has wide acceptance in the Pacific Northwest and is licensed by Commuteride in Ada County and Mountain Rides in Blaine County. This program uses computerized partner matching systems that take into account each commuter’s origin, destination, schedule and special needs.

Ride-shareonline.com provides carpool matching, vanpool matching, event matching, marketing programs, promotion programs, Park & Ride lot support, weekly new registrant prize drawings is open to everyone within the state, and provides various other rider/employer incentives.

If you are interested in participating in this new program or would like more information please contact ITD’s Division of Public Transportation.