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Beyond Carpooling — New Roles for Rideshare Agencies Act 2000 Western Regional Conference. by Catherine Wasikowski Executive Director, RIDES June 4, 2000. United States of America. San Francisco Bay Region Northern California 7,179 Square Miles Population 6.8 Million 9 Counties
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Beyond Carpooling — New Roles for Rideshare Agencies Act 2000 Western Regional Conference by Catherine Wasikowski Executive Director, RIDES June 4, 2000
United States of America • San Francisco Bay Region • Northern California • 7,179 Square Miles • Population 6.8 Million • 9 Counties • 100 Cities RIDES
RIDES Mission: • To promote transportation that protects the environment and improves quality of life. • To make transportation alternatives the obvious best choice for most people. • To implement programs on a regional level that complement and support county services and incentives. Goal: Approach:
Communications Executive Administrative Assistant Catherine Wasikowski Executive Director • Media • Public Relations • Newsletter Administration & Finance Marketing & Outreach Planning & Evaluation Information Services Information Technology • Human Resources • Program Development • Facility Operations/ Equipment • Accounting • Office Support • Employer Services • Promotions/Events • Relocation Assistance • Creative Services • Bishop Ranch Transport. Center • Spare the Air • Commute Profile • Vanpool Studies • MTC Contract • Report Card • Casual Carpooling • Commute Services • Vanpool Program • Welfare to Work • Database Administration • Office Computer Systems • Transit Info Services • Web Site • Ridematch Program • Geo Info Syst. (GIS) RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, Inc. Approximately 40 Staff June 2000
Drive Alone 66.4% Carpool 14.4% Bus 7.2% BART 5.1% Walk 2.0% Telecommute 1.1% Bicycle 1.0% Caltrain 0.7% Light Rail 0.5% Vanpool 0.4% Ferry 0.3% Altamont Commuter Express 0.2% “Other” 0.6% Primary Commute Mode n=3,669
Services Provided • Commuter Support and Assistance • Employer Assistance • Traveler/Events Information • Emergency Support • Regional Coordination • Statewide Partnering • Research and Evaluation
Commuter Support and Assistance • Matchlists • Commute Consultations • Transit Referrals • Placement and Follow-up Services • Vanpool Formation and Support
Commuter Facts* • 4,000 employers served • 3,081 requested ridematching services • 850 vanpools in operation • *Based on RIDES’ current active database
Employer Assistance • Employer Meetings/Events • Vanpool Formation • Matchlists • Promotions • Relocation Support
Traveler Information/Special Events • TravInfo Link (817-1717) • Pacific Bell Park • Spare the Air • SFO Passenger Assistance
Emergency Support/Preparedness • All Staff Training • Call Center — extended hours • Transit Strikes • Natural Disasters/Earthquakes • Landslides • Highway Construction Closures
Regional Coordination • SMARTPool • Commuter Check • Regional Transit Information Center • Newsletter — TDM Partners • Media • Welfare to Work Commute Guides
Statewide Partnering Transportation Management TAC RIDES hosts and chairs monthly meetings of rideshare organizations across the state to discuss programs, database systems and pending legislation.
Research and Evaluation Efforts • Commute Profile • Vanpool Studies • Casual Carpool Report • Placement Studies
Future Directions • Information Broker • TravInfo® — live and pre-recorded information services • Information Technology • TranStar Transit Trip Planning System • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) incorporated in ridematching system • Internet ridematching • Strategic Marketing Efforts • Marketing Evaluation • Multilingual Materials • Special Events and Destinations
What is RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, Inc.? A non-profit organization founded in 1977. Region’s rideshare organization. Helps individuals use alternatives to driving alone: • Carpool and Vanpool formation and support • Referrals to public transit including bus, rail and ferry • Information on bicycling, telecommuting, HOV (diamond) lanes and Park & Ride lots • Provide matchlists of commuters from our ridematching database
RIDES’ Mission Promote transportation that protects the environment and improves quality of life.
How Do Vanpools Operate? • Primary driver and back-up drivers • 7 to 15 riders • Similar work hours • Defined route (times & locations) • Agreed upon vanpool rules
Monthly Payments Include • Insurance • Maintenance package • Gas for commute miles • Roadside assistance 24 hours/day
Reasons for Vanpooling Save time Save money Catch up on work or sleep Read the newspaper or a book Reduce wear and tear on your car Lower emissions by removing 14 cars from the road
The Driver Requirements: • Pass medical exam • Good motor vehicle report • Be at least 25 years old • Possess a class “C” driver’s license
The Driver Benefits: • Commute is free • No long-term financial obligation (if leased) • Preferential parking • Access to an extra vehicle • Spouse is eligible to drive
Alameda County Incentives Guaranteed Ride Home: •A free taxi ride home in case of an emergency
Contra Costa County Incentives Vanpools: •New riders receive half off their fare for first three months•After one year drivers receive $1000 Carpools: •Gas scrip worth $20 per month for two months
CCC Incentives (continued) Guaranteed Ride Home: •In an emergency receive up to six taxi or rent-a-car rides home
San Mateo County Incentives • Emergency Ride Home • •Free taxi ride or 24 hour car rental • Vanpool Incentive Program • •Half of vanpool costs for three months up to $80 per month • •$100 cash for each vanpool you help to form • •Start a new vanpool, keep it on the road for one year,and receive $500
Santa Cruz County Incentives Vanpool Passengers •$50 vanpool incentive for new riders Vanpool Drivers •Start a new vanpool, keep it on the road for one year, and receive $500
Solano County Incentives I-80 Vanpool Incentive Program •$100 worth of gasoline vouchers given over a two-month period
Sonoma County Incentives Guaranteed Ride Home: •A free taxi ride home in case of an emergency
Cost Comparison Approximately ?? miles from ?? (roundtrip) Monthly cost Commute time each way Drive alone @ $.262/mile*plus bridge tolls BART/? Vanpool** $?? ?? minutes $?? ?? minutes $?? ?? minutes * $.262 per mile based on AAA figures, includes gas, oil, maintenance, tires and depreciation. ** Vanpooling costs vary according to number of riders and type of vehicle.
RIDES Vanpool Services • Help recruit riders • Hold vanpool formation meeting(s) • Medical reimbursement up to $30 • Provide support once vanpool is on the road • Discount parking permits for Oakland and San Francisco • Free bridge toll passes • All services are free
Contact Information •800-755-POOL www.rides.org •TravInfo® 817-1717(from all area codes in the Bay Area)