More than 2,700 new commuters registered for SharetheRideNC in 2011

Last year, we asked you to consider a different New Year’s resolution for 2011 and try an alternative commute by sharing the ride. More than 2,700 people took that challenge and registered for North Carolina’s free commuter-matching program, SharetheRideNC, bringing the number of commuters registered in the system to 31,326.
SharetheRideNC is a free, statewide, commuter-matching program for drivers interested in joining or starting a carpool or vanpool. Drivers who register online at www.ShareTheRideNC.org input their commute information and instantly receive a list of other drivers who have matching commutes.
As more people move to North Carolina, congestion is a reality in both urban and rural areas. Carpooling and vanpooling are two of several alternatives commuters have to driving their personal cars in addition to rail and public transportation. By joining a carpool or vanpool, commuters can save money and reduce stress as well as remove vehicles from the road. That, in turn, reduces congestion, harmful emissions and the need for more road maintenance.
In addition to finding carpool and vanpool matches, users can also sign up for the Emergency Ride Home program that provides commuters who carpool, vanpool, bike, walk or take transit with a reliable ride home in the event of an emergency.
NCDOT initially provided funding to develop www.ShareTheRideNC.org in 2005 and continues to support the program. The database is administered by Triangle Transit, the provider of regional bus and ridesharing services in the Triangle region.
Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office, NCDOT’s Public Transportation Division has awarded more than $310 million in grant funds to local public transportation systems. These grants enable systems to provide people in all 100 counties access to education, job opportunities and health care.
For more information on grant programs through the Public Transportation Division of NCDOT, as well as transit systems that serve the public throughout the state, visit www.ncdot.gov/nctransit.