The average driver in California spends a full work week sitting in traffic each year while U.S. businesses lose billions of dollars in productivity because of congestion. A new program, Rideshare Thursdays, can help companies and commuters recoup this loss when they make the Rideshare Thursday pledge.

Try Ridesharing

If every solo driver in the Bay Area used a commute alternative instead of driving alone just one day a week, traffic congestion would be cut by 20 percent. Not everyone can use a commute alternative every day, and that's why Rideshare Thursdays was formed. The concept is simple. Commuters commit to using an alternate form of transportation to work at least one day a week. How about Thursday?

Make the Pledge

So that commuters will be truly committed to making a positive commute change on Thursdays, they are asked to make the Rideshare Thursdays pledge. Commuters can sign up for Rideshare Thursdays at: www.511.org (click "rideshare") or fill out a paper form that is available for download at: www.rideshare.511.org/employer_services/materials.asp and select "Reproducible pledge form".

Win Prizes for Pledging

Everyone who makes a Rideshare Thursdays pledge before December 31, 2003 will be eligible to win weekly prizes, including bike messenger bags, transit passes, Commuter Check vouchers and coffee coupons. In early January, a winner will be drawn for the Grand Prize, a weekend getaway to Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in the Lake Tahoe area!

Additional Information

Rideshare Thursdays is just one of the great new programs available to commuters to provide traffic relief. For additional information on Rideshare Thursdays and other great commute programs refer to the contact information below.

Contact Information

Jackie Stiasny
RIDES
300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 275, Oakland, California  94612
(510) 273-2070 phone     (510) 622-0201 fax
jstiasny@rides.org e-mail     www.511.org WWW

Hacienda Owners Association
4473 Willow Road, Suite 105, Pleasanton, California  94588-8570
(925) 734-6500 phone     (925) 734-6501 fax
info@hacienda.org e-mail     www.hacienda.org WWW