Beyond Carpooling New Roles for Rideshare Agencies

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 RIDES • Northern California • 7, 179 Square Miles • Population 6. 8 Million • 9 Counties • 100 Cities

RIDES Mission: To promote transportation that protects the environment and improves quality of life. Goal: To make transportation alternatives the obvious best choice for most people. Approach: To implement programs on a regional level that complement and support county services and incentives.

RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, Inc. Approximately 40 Staff Communications • Media • Public Relations • Newsletter Catherine Wasikowski Executive Director Executive Administrativ e Assistant Administratio n & Finance Marketing & Outreach Planning & Evaluation • Human Resources • Employer Services • Commute Profile • Commute Services • Program Development • Promotions/Events • Vanpool Studies • Vanpool Program • Relocation Assistance • MTC Contract • Welfare to Work • Facility Operations/ Equipment • Creative Services • Report Card • Accounting • Bishop Ranch Transport. Center • Casual Carpooling • Office Support • Spare the Air Information Services Information Technology • Database Administration • Office Computer Systems • Transit Info Services • Web Site • Ridematch Program • Geo Info Syst. (GIS) June 2000

Actual Fiscal Year 1999/2000 Funding — $3, 943, 540

Primary Commute Mode 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% 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 Trav. Info 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 • Trav. Info® — live and pre-recorded information services Information Technology Tran. Star 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

RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, Inc.

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) Drive alone @ $. 262/mile* plus bridge tolls BART/? Monthly cost each way Commute time $? ? ? ? minutes Vanpool** based on AAA figures, includes gas, oil, maintenance, tires and * $. 262 per mile 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 San Francisco • Free bridge toll passes • All services are free

Contact Information • 800 -755 -POOL www. rides. org • Trav. Info® 817 -1717 (from all area codes in the Bay Area)