By Yessica Jovel

On a clear October day, nearly a dozen agencies and companies, including Foothill Transit, Metrolink and Santa Clarita Transit set up booths to discuss the importance of ridesharing. Hundreds of District 7 employees received updated bus schedules, learned of alternate options to get to work and collected some great giveaways. Our partners, the California Highway Patrol, answered questions regarding traffic safety and Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) promoted DASH, City Ride, and Commuter Express bus lines. Employees who pledged to share the ride for at least one day during Rideshare Week, which ran from October 5-9, were entered into a drawing held by Metro.

Johnny Yee, the District 7 Rideshare and Parking Coordinator was impressed with this year’s employee participation at the Rideshare Fair. “I was glad to speak to so many people and clarify that ridesharing is about more than carpooling; there are so many other methods that we should consider, such as public transportation, walking and even bicycling to work.”

Other participants at the Caltrans Rideshare Fair included the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, VPSI Commuter Van Pools, Yellow Cab Company and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.

The Rideshare Fair is a reminder that carpooling and public transit are great for the environment, and also offer financial incentives. According to Metro, four out of five commuters drive alone to work. Sharing the ride is a low-cost solution that has immediate benefits for everyone.

If you would like to learn more about the District ridesharing program, contact the Caltrans Rideshare coordinator at 213-897-0187.