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News Release 477
MISSOURI RIDESHARE GROUPS JOIN TOGETHER
TO ENCOURAGE
COMMUTERS TO
"SHARE THE RIDE STATEWIDE"
Volume 35-477 |
Contact: Kerry Cordray |
(For immediate release) |
573-526-4220 |
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 23, 2007 -- The week of Oct. 22-26 is "Share the Ride Statewide" week in Missouri, as rideshare groups in Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis and mid-Missouri hold prize drawings, visit commuter lots and provide information about the benefits of carpools and vanpools. A proclamation issued by Gov. Matt Blunt designating this week as Rideshare Week in Missouri declares that carpooling and vanpooling are "recognized as an effective and efficient component of a comprehensive transportation system that offers many benefits to individuals, communities and the environment."
"Sharing a ride to work, and sharing the commuting costs with just one person can effectively and immediately cut the cost of commuting in half, saving many commuters more than $1,000 per year in reduced fuel costs," said Anita Randolph, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center. The center is coordinating the week's activities.
The week's activities around Missouri include events at commuter lots and prize drawings for those participating in and registering for carpools and vanpools. Local organizations and details include the following:
Kansas City area: Mid-America Regional Council RideShare, 816-842-RIDE
- On Monday morning, commuters using the MoDOT commuter lot in Lee's Summit were treated to free coffee and donuts courtesy of the MARC RideShare Program. Representatives from RideShare, MoDOT and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority were on hand to serve the refreshments during a rainy and blustery morning rush.
- The MARC RideShare program serves Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties in Missouri and Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in Kansas.
Mid-Missouri area - Mid-Missouri Rideshare Program, 573-522-RIDE
- The Mid-Missouri Rideshare Program is holding a prize drawing for commuters in its existing carpools and those registering to form new carpools in the mid--Missouri area. Prizes include free lodging and camping in Missouri state parks.
- To register for an existing mid-Missouri carpool, volunteer to start a new carpool or sign up to be matched with carpools in the area, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/transportation/ride.htm or call Mid-Missouri Rideshare at
573-522-RIDE (7433). - The Mid-Missouri Rideshare Program serves the counties of Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Gasconade, Howard, Maries, Miller, Moniteau, Morgan, Osage, Pettis, Phelps, Pulaski and Randolph. It focuses on matching up people who want to carpool to Jefferson City or Columbia.
St. Louis area - RideFinders, 800-VIP-RIDE
- RideFinders is holding a prize drawing for commuters who register a new or expanded carpool or vanpool in the St. Louis area. Prizes include free lodging and camping in Missouri state parks.
- Commuters can use RideFinders free ridematching service, available at (800) VIP-RIDE or www.ridefinders.org, to find other commuters to share the ride with in a new or expanded carpool or vanpool.
- RideFinders operates as a free public service for commuters working in St. Louis City; St. Louis, Franklin, Jefferson and St. Charles counties in Missouri; and Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe counties in Illinois.
Springfield area - Ozarks Transportation Organization Rideshare program, 417-831-RIDE
- The Ozarks Transportation Organization Rideshare Program is holding a prize drawing for commuters in its existing carpools and those registering to form new carpools in the southwest Missouri area. Prizes include free lodging and camping in Missouri state parks, as well as $50 gas cards.
- To register for an existing carpool, volunteer to start a new carpool or sign up to be matched with carpools in the area, visit www.ozarkstransportation.org/ridesharing or call at 417-831-RIDE (7433).
- The Ozarks Transportation Organization Rideshare program's carpool matching serves the counties of Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Jasper, LaClede, Lawrence, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright.
For more information about "Share the Ride Statewide" week, visit the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/sharetheride.htm.
For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.
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