FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 6, 2014

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713/Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Annual Rideshare Week Urges Commuters To Share the Ride

Commuters can win prizes, save money and help the environment by pledging to participate

ORANGE – Rideshare Week encourages commuters to give up the solo commute and save time and money by sharing the ride today through Friday.

Rideshare Week is a weeklong event presented by the Orange County Transportation Authority to promote alternative transportation options. Commuters can pledge online to ride the bus or train, carpool, vanpool, walk or cycle. Participants will be entered to win prizes, including bus passes, Metrolink tickets, LED bike lights and an iPad. By referring three or more friends, they can win a $50 gift card, and those new to ridesharing are eligible to receive $2 a day for up to three months.

Rideshare saves time, money and helps improve the environment. A carpool or vanpool reduces transportation costs by 50 to 75 percent, lowers greenhouse gas emissions by 1,600 pounds per year, and provides more time at home, instead of on the road.
Last year, 3,338 participants pledged to use alternative forms of transportation during Rideshare Week – resulting in a total of 13,520 trips and a reduction of more than 437,288 driving miles.

Rideshare Week is part of OCTA’s Share the Ride program. The program helps people find efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective ways to commute by offering saving incentives as well as resources to find the quickest route to various destinations.

To learn more about Rideshare Week and pledge to participate, visit www.OCShareTheRide.com.

After signing the pledge, go to www.octa.net/tripplanner to plan your trip.

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