Rideshare Week draws 100 participants Published Nov. 8, 2010 By Megan Just 452 AMW Public Affairs MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- More than 100 Team March members filled out pledge cards to use alternative transportation at least once during Rideshare Week, which concluded Oct. 8. Each participant had the opportunity to win one of dozens of prizes donated by area businesses and Master Sgt. Maury McElvane, an ordnance systems mechanic with the 452nd Maintenance Squadron, was among the winners. Sergeant McElvane, who has been a member of the Orange County vanpool express since it started in 2006, won a four-pack to the Living Desert Museum. "It's saved me a number of miles on my vehicle and it's saved me quite a lot of money," he said " I get a chance to read or sleep during the commute and that's a huge benefit. Sergeant McElvane said he saves 90 miles a day and 2.5 tanks of gas a week during his average of 18 vanpool trips each month. "Due to what I've saved, I've been able to purchase a new vehicle," he said. Rideshare Week is an annual statewide event that encourages commuters to experience the personal and environmental benefits of using alternative transportation. Even though Rideshare Week is over, Paul Pitman, March Air Reserve Base rideshare coordinator, encourages March employees to give ridesharing a try during other times of the year. "People get set in a routine and it's hard to break it," he said. "But those who do find it's worth it for the money and time savings, plus the reduction of the wear and tear on their vehicles." Through the Transportation Incentive Program, each vanpool member is eligible to receive vouchers, which, in almost all cases, completely cover the cost of participating in a vanpool, Pitman said. Additionally, new alternative transportation users are eligible for a Riverside County and San Bernardino County incentive which pays commuters $2 a day for the first 90 days. Alternative transportation include: vanpooling, carpooling, riding the bus, telecommuting, riding a bike and walking. "I highly encourage ridesharing if you can make it fit in your home and work schedules," said Col. Mary Adrian, 452nd Air Mobility Wing vice commander. All businesses and organizations within California's South Coast Air Quality District that have more than 250 employees are held accountable for the emissions expended in their employees' commutes to work. By running a rideshare program, businesses and organizations can minimize the amount of emissions their employees produce, as well as the financial burden of the emissions offset fees they would otherwise be required to pay. The offset fees are based on average vehicle ridership statistics. When the base began its rideshare program in 2005, the average vehicle ridership was 1.1, or, an average of one rider in each vehicle entering base. The goal is to have an average vehicle ridership of 1.3, or, an average of three riders per vehicle entering base, Pitman said. Each year, March's average vehicle ridership statistic is calculated based on the results of a rideshare survey. While the base has a robust ridesharing program that now includes 23 vans and more than 170 carpoolers, if Team March members do not complete the survey, the results will be not reflect the base's actual average vehicle ridership and the base will pay a significant fee. "Last year, we paid $13,000 for emission credits based on the survey results," Pitman said. "If everyone turns in their survey this year, I expect that our fees will only be $1,000, which is the minimum required by the South Coast Air Quality District." In 2009, only 43% of Team March members completed the survey. Conversely, in 2007, when 84% of Team March members completed the survey, the base paid just $1,000, Pitman said. Pitman says the survey only takes two minutes to complete and hopes all Team March members--especially those who are already participating in ridesharing programs--will complete the survey this year. Colonel Adrian agrees. "It hardly takes any time to complete it, yet it can save the base thousands of dollars," she said. "We need everyone's participation to make this year's survey accurate." According to Pitman's estimates, March vanpoolers save 4,945 gallons of fuel and eliminate 124,614 vehicle miles on the road per month. They reduce the base's carbon dioxide output by 50.5 tons each month. Catch a ride with a March vanpool Existing vanpools Los Angeles/Orange County Redlands San Bernardino San Diego Temecula (6 vans) Murrieta (2 vans) Victorville Rancho Cucamonga/Ontario Hemet Beaumont Menifee (2 vans) Moreno Valley Interest in starting new vanpools Riverside Lake Elsinore Corona High desert area