The Rapid launches enhanced shared ridership program to help commuters save money, fuel

This week, leaders from Grand Rapids' transit The Rapid greeted carpoolers in the wee hours at the I-96/East Beltline MDOT rideshare lot this week with free coffee and some friendly encouragement to check out The Rapid's enhanced car- and van-pooling services: West Michigan Rideshare Program. Rideshare, once known as the car/vanpooling program, launched its new name and new web site aimed at helping commuters save money and fuel.

Rideshare had 5,105 riders in its program as of July. The new web site, wmrideshare.org, should make it easier for potential 'poolers to use the carpool matching software to find other riders with the same or similar destinations and schedules. There's also a cost to drive calculator so commuters can see their potential cost savings through carpooling.

"We're entering a new work year, and as winter approaches it's a good time to bring up ridesharing," says Kevin Wisselink, business transportation coordinator. "The American Automobile Association says the average cost of driving 15,000 miles a year costs over $9,000."

A survey of Rideshare members determined riders' cost saving varied; 36 percent saved up to $50 each month, while 15 percent saved over $150 per month.

Other Rideshare services include:

• Employer Services: employers can purchase add-ons to the rideshare web site. Employees access the site for their employer to browse for other commuters who want to rideshare to and from their particular work site.
• Vanpool Services: Groups of three to six riders can lease vans for a monthly rate. Two of the riders are drivers who must pass a drug test and physical.
• Guaranteed Ride Home: if riders need to leave work early due to illness, they receive reimbursement for the cost of the rental car or taxi used to get home.

 
Each rideshare group has determines their own schedules and where to pickup and drop off each rider. Carpoolers decide among themselves whose car(s) to use, who will drive and how to split the costs.
 
"The Rapid's goal is to provide for transportation needs in the community," Wisselink adds. "For people doing long distance commutes, there aren't other options like busses, so this is an extension of our other commute options."

Source: Kevin Wisselink, The Rapid; Molly Klimas, Intent PR

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].