Grown-Up Carpools May Ease Pain At The Pump

Through its Commuter Services program, the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority is offering commuters a variety of ways to get where they need to go without burning their own gas.

Through its free, online ride-matching program, TBARTA Commuter Services helps
potential carpoolers connect with each other to share the ride to and from
work.  At www.tampabayrideshare.org, commuters can create a profile and search for potential carpoolers with similar commutes in their area. The TBARTA database
contains potential carpool partners in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Commuters without Internet access can sign up over the phone by calling 800-998-RIDE (7433).

Other Commuter Services programs include Vanpool, which links five or more
people to share a ride to work in a passenger van or SUV.  Similarly, the Bike
Buddy program connects cyclists who want to share the ride.  TBARTA can also
work with employers to set up an effective telecommuting program.

"TBARTA stands ready to assist commuters in the Tampa Bay area in any way we
can,'' said Executive Director Bob Clifford in a recent press release. "While we continue to plan for more long-term solutions to the region's transportation problems, we can also provide the kind of 'right now' solutions that people want and need.''