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Date published: 4/23/2008
In his recent column ["Saving gas with transit vs. car's convenience a balancing act," April 6], Michael Kole related information regarding various transit and ride-sharing options for commuters. Mr. Kole wrote that "commuters with children in school or in other sensitive situations need a reliable backup plan for getting home in case of an emergency." This is a commonly expressed concern among commuters considering van pools, car pools, or transit. Fortunately, though, there is a solution to this problem: the Guaranteed Ride Home Program. The program--which is operated through "Commuter Connections" and available from GWRideConnect--provides commuters who use car pools, van pools, or take transit and who work in Stafford County, Northern Virginia, Washington, or parts of Maryland with a free, reliable ride home when unscheduled overtime or emergencies arise. Although ride-sharing commuters may utilize the GRH program up to four times a year, the vast majority have never actually needed to use it, but they feel more secure knowing it's available. GWRideConnect currently supports more than 340 van pools that safely and reliably transport about 4,000 people to work each day. Van-pool and transit users are also eligible to receive Metrocheks or Smart Benefits, a transit subsidy of up to $115 a month to help pay for the cost of their trip, which makes ride-sharing the most economical way to commute a long distance. Diana Utz Fredericksburg The writer is director
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