I rather enjoy riding Metro to work. In fact, I have centered my search for housing based upon the proximity to the train. However, there was a time in my life that I was known to carpool a few days a week. If you aren't the driver, carpooling gives you the same benefits that transit does. Hopefully, if you are the driver, you are able to cut your costs of the commute by splitting it amongst those you drive safely and efficiently to end destinations. Your employer may even provide a preferred parking space for you.
Commuter Connections is thinking about taking carpool benefits one step further by PAYING YOU to carpool - that's right - $2/day. The pilot program will last 3 months. After all, if a program like this can be successful in cities like Atlanta and Los Angeles, surely it can succeed in the DC region as well. Stay Tuned!
Wendy Duren is a Business Development Manager at Arlington Transportation Partners,
and commutes with Metrorail daily.
Thanks for the comment, Steve. NuRide also rewards people for walking and telecommuting and welcomes people to track all of their "greener" trips whether for work or personal.
NuRide is a good loyalty rewards program. However, the new pilot would pave the path for carpoolers to receive an actual direct/subsidized benefit that they haven't been able to receive in the past. Nothing speaks to some people like cold, hard cash!
Posted by: Wendy Duren | June 22, 2009 at 10:02 AM
NuRide already rewards people for carpooling. Find more information at www.nuride.com. They also reward you for biking or taking transit.
Posted by: Steve Offutt | June 21, 2009 at 02:07 PM