Commuting could
lead to free airfare

If high gasoline prices haven’t motivated you to explore commuting alternatives, perhaps a free trip to anywhere in the continental United States will.

Amy Armbruster, the Triangle Transit Authority’s transportation demand coordinator for Wake County, made a presentation on the TTA’s Smart Commute Challenge to the Staff Senate at its September meeting. Individuals who sign up for the program pledge to try a commute alternative such as carpooling, vanpooling, riding the bus, biking or walking to work at least once before Sept. 30. Participants may register for the program online.

Those who enroll are entered into a random drawing for prizes, which include two round-trip airline tickets and a week’s hotel stay anywhere in the continental United States. Other prizes include a laptop computer, an iPod and gift certificates to various local merchants.

Those who enroll can also redeem a coupon from the Web site at select area locations for a green Smart Commute wristband, which is good for discounts at area restaurants and businesses. NC State employees may pick up wristbands at the NCSU Transportation office.

NC State employees who carpool are eligible to receive a preferred parking permit at a reduced cost through the university’s WolfTrails program. Vanpool participants are also eligible for preferential parking and other economic incentives. Individuals can search for potential car or vanpool partners by visiting www.sharetheridenc.com or www.ncsu.edu/wolftrails.

“If you have tried once to find a vanpool or a carpool partner, now is a great time to check back on our Web site,” Armbruster said. “We have had more people this past month give us information and register for ride matching than we have ever had before. Our volume is up 50 percent. We’re adding new riders every day.”

NC State employees can ride TTA and Raleigh’s Capital Area Transit (CAT) buses for free by showing their university ID cards.

Posted Sept. 16, 2005

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