News Releases
New River Valley to Receive Free Carpool Matching Service
For Immediate Release, 10/31/2006
Roanoke, Va. – New River Valley residents and businesses looking for a way to cut commuting costs now have another option. Jeremy Holmes, Program Director for RIDE Solutions, announced today that RIDE Solutions, the carpool matching service that has served the Roanoke region since 2001, has partnered with the NRV Planning District Commission and Virginia Tech to offer its services to the New River Valley. The service is free and available to anyone who commutes into or out from the New River and Roanoke Valleys.
“The New River Valley has some of the largest employers in the region,” Holmes said. “Virginia Tech alone has over 2,700 employees who drive more than 50 miles a day round-trip, with 600 driving more than 150 miles a day. There’s a huge opportunity to help these workers cut their commuting expenses, and help New River Valley businesses provide a valuable benefit to their employees.”
RIDE Solutions uses an advanced computer mapping system to match potential carpool partners based on the their origin, destination, and work schedules. By forming carpools and sharing the expense of commuting, individuals can see immediate savings from reduced fuel, vehicle maintenance, parking, and even insurance expenses. RIDE Solutions can also provide all the materials and support a business needs to establish employer-based carpool programs. By encouraging employees to form carpools, business can help employees save money on their transportation costs, while freeing up parking for their customers. All of these services are provided free of charge.
Vinton Mayor Brad Grose, Chairman of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, stated that he is “pleased that the Regional Commission and the New River Valley PDC could work cooperatively to provide this valuable service to the citizens and businesses in the larger region.” He noted that carpooling offers the opportunity for citizens to reduce their cost of commuting as well as help reduce air pollution in the region.
RIDE Solutions is a non-profit carpool matching and alternative transportation service funded in part by local governments and a grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit. It's a service of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and the New River Valley Planning District Commission. The program is part of an implementation strategy of the Ozone Early Action Plan, with a goal of reducing ground-level ozone generated from vehicle emissions by reducing the number of single-occupant vehicles on the road through encouraging the use of carpools, public transit, biking and walking. Residents can apply over the phone at 1-866-424-3334 or online at www.ridesolutions.org.
“The New River Valley has some of the largest employers in the region,” Holmes said. “Virginia Tech alone has over 2,700 employees who drive more than 50 miles a day round-trip, with 600 driving more than 150 miles a day. There’s a huge opportunity to help these workers cut their commuting expenses, and help New River Valley businesses provide a valuable benefit to their employees.”
RIDE Solutions uses an advanced computer mapping system to match potential carpool partners based on the their origin, destination, and work schedules. By forming carpools and sharing the expense of commuting, individuals can see immediate savings from reduced fuel, vehicle maintenance, parking, and even insurance expenses. RIDE Solutions can also provide all the materials and support a business needs to establish employer-based carpool programs. By encouraging employees to form carpools, business can help employees save money on their transportation costs, while freeing up parking for their customers. All of these services are provided free of charge.
Vinton Mayor Brad Grose, Chairman of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, stated that he is “pleased that the Regional Commission and the New River Valley PDC could work cooperatively to provide this valuable service to the citizens and businesses in the larger region.” He noted that carpooling offers the opportunity for citizens to reduce their cost of commuting as well as help reduce air pollution in the region.
RIDE Solutions is a non-profit carpool matching and alternative transportation service funded in part by local governments and a grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit. It's a service of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission and the New River Valley Planning District Commission. The program is part of an implementation strategy of the Ozone Early Action Plan, with a goal of reducing ground-level ozone generated from vehicle emissions by reducing the number of single-occupant vehicles on the road through encouraging the use of carpools, public transit, biking and walking. Residents can apply over the phone at 1-866-424-3334 or online at www.ridesolutions.org.
