A radio ad campaign kicked into high gear yesterday, encouraging commuters to "Pick a Day, Any Day" to share the ride to work and home again. The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) is funding the regional public awareness program promoting the benefits of ridesharing.
Ridesharing can cut commute costs in half ( or less ) and save commuters time by using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. With the growing number of cars on the roads and continuing challenges in reaching health-based air quality standards, the rideshare campaign, with the support of local transportation agencies, encourages commuters to rideshare, not just on Thursdays, but any weekday.
The launch of the "Pick a Day" program coincides with the debut of a new commuter website, www.commutesmart.info, a partnership of the transportation agencies of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. This website helps match prospective rideshare partners, provides real-time traffic information for Southern California Commuters, and helps commuters plan trips using Metrolink trains or local buses.
"We are committed to assisting commuters in realizing the benefits of sharing the ride - lower travel cost, less wear and tear on their car, and perhaps most importantly, less time on the road and more time enjoying life," said MSRC Chair Gwenn Norton-Perry, a Chino Hills City Councilmember.
Radio spots will air across the Southland for three weeks on 25 stations, including Spanish and Asian-language stations, and will air throughout the year during traffic reports.
"Studies show that people who try ridesharing, enjoy it enough that a full 60 percent continue utilizing ridesharing. This campaign will assist in encouraging more frustrated commuters to employ this option," said Norton-Perry.
The campaign focuses on the benefits of shorter commute times and lower expenses, as well as reducing driving-related stress. And ridesharing is not just carpooling, it also includes other modes of transit such as riding by bus or rail, bicycling, and even walking. Commuters are directed to visit the regional ridesharing web site at www.commutesmart.info for instant online matching with people with similar commuting routes and times, or call 1-800-COMMUTE, which will route calls directly to regional ridesharing organizations.