September 8, 1999
CHICAGO AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY (CATS) URGES COMMUTERS TO "SHARE THE DRIVE" DURING NATIONAL RIDESHARE WEEK
CHICAGO-- The Chicago Area Transportation Study’s Rideshare Services is joining other public agencies throughout the nation in urging commuters to "Share the Drive" during National Rideshare Week, September 13-17. CATS joins the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the Partners for Clean Air to promote the use of carpooling, vanpooling, and public transit to reduce traffic and improve air quality.
Currently:
- The average U.S. worker will spend two years of his or her life stuck in traffic.
- The Chicago area has the third highest average commuting time in the nation.
- The number of people driving alone to work rose 27% between 1980 and 1990.
- Commuters that use transit save 200 gallons of gas per year.
- Commuters who carpool can save up to $2,000 in vehicle operation costs.
CATS initiated its Rideshare program in 1980, and has served nearly 10,000 businesses and individuals. Companies participating in CATS’ free computerized carpool matching system have experienced as much as 93% success in matching their employees into carpools, and almost half of the individuals calling the CATS "Share the Drive" Rideshare Hotline (1-800-920-RIDE) are matched up with others that share the same commute.
CATS Rideshare Services can also match commuters with some innovative employer "Share the Drive" incentive programs like preferential parking, a guaranteed ride home and even complimentary car washes. The "Share the Drive" Web site (www.sharethedrive.org) has all the details and registration forms, or you can e-mail cats@pop.state.il.us.
"As more people sign up to rideshare, our success rate in matching commuters increases," said Michelle Rusch, CATS Rideshare Services Coordinator. "As more people try ridesharing, they discover that they save money, reduce wear and tear on their car, and experience less frustration associated with driving. In turn, fewer cars on the road saves time and protects the quality of the air we breathe."
A recent focus group of carpoolers supports Rusch’s conclusion.
"I notice that the days that I carpool, I’m less tired because frustration and stress take so much out of you," one participant said. "If I have someone with me, I’m not thinking about the frustrations of driving."
Female focus group participants remarked that they felt "much safer on the highway with someone sharing the ride."
In addition to carpooling or vanpooling, commuters can do their part by using public transportation. The Chicago area has one of the most highly developed public transportation systems in the nation. The RTA information hotline (836-7000) provides travel information and schedules for Pace, Metra and the CTA.
Rusch urges commuters to consider some form of ridesharing for National Rideshare Week.
"There are a lot of people who think one person can’t make a difference," she says. "If half of them decided to share the drive to work—either in a carpool or on public transportation— the improvement in our traffic and our air would convince them that when everyone does their part, everybody wins."
The Chicago Area Transportation Study is the official Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for northeastern Illinois, designated by state and local officials to carry out the regional transportation planning process. The region includes all of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, plus a portion of Kendall County.
Contact:
Michelle Rusch
Rideshare Services Coordinator
(312) 793-5664