ORANGE – The annual rideshare week begins today through Oct. 6, encouraging people to use alternate forms of transportation and the Orange County Transportation Authority is calling on the commuting public to try a new way to get to work.
Rideshare week offers great promotions and opportunities for people to try forms of transportation they do not typically use. Those who choose to ride an OC bus for the first time can receive two free one-day bus passes. People who pledge to ride the train will receive one free round-trip Metrolink ticket. New vanpools that are set up during rideshare week will receive a $100 gift card and those who pledge to continue to use will be entered to win vanpool merchandise and a $100 gift card. People who pledge to bike will receive a coupon courtesy of Jax Bicycle Shop.
Those who pledge to share the ride by taking the bus, train, vanpool or bike can also be entered to win an iPad. Check out all the details at www.OCTA.net/RideshareWeek.
Commuters are also encouraged to track their commutes on Ridematch.info to earn additional entries into the iPad drawing.
The Ridematch website was created through a partnership between OCTA, LA Metro, and Ventura County Transportation Authority. Commuters can use Ridematch as a tool for figuring out which form of transportation works best, as well as tracking the amount of money saved by sharing the ride.
OCTA’s vanpool program helps commuters share the ride with others who work and live in similar areas. Vanpools offer a great way to save money, time and stress by sharing a vehicle and commuting with others. The vanpool requires five riders and is ideal for commuters who travel 15 miles or more to work. OCTA offers a $400 subsidy per month for those who commute in Orange County, which can cover up to half of the monthly lease cost.
Taking the train also offers a variety of benefits, one being the ability bring a bicycle on board and bike to a nearby workplace or destination. Riding the Metrolink can be an easy and convenient way to share the ride and use time effectively during the daily commute. Metrolink also offers special event service to baseball and football games as well as discounted weekend passes. Metrolink stations connect with many OC bus routes throughout the county to deliver riders to popular destinations.
OCTA has 65 bus routes and 533 buses that provide affordable trips around the county. Trips on an OC Bus can easily be planned at www.octa.net/bus or by downloading the OC Bus app.
