Save On Gas By Commuting To Work

Metro Atlanta commuters know just what to do when gas heads toward $4 a gallon – stop driving alone to work. In fact, more than 3,000 commuters have signed up this year for an incentive program that pays them to try carpooling, transit, teleworking and other less expensive – and less polluting -- alternatives. That is more than double the number of commuters who signed up for the program, known as Cash for Commuters, in the same timeframe last year.

“Not since the gasoline shortages immediately following Hurricane Katrina have we seen such intense interest in our programs,” said Kevin Green, executive director of The Clean Air Campaign. “May was a phenomenal month for enrollment, and June looks like it will be even more active.”

Cash for Commuters is one of three financial incentives available to Georgia commuters through the Commuter Rewards program. Cash for Commuters pays $3 a day, up to $180 over a 90-day period, for commuters who try an alternative to driving alone. Commuter Prizes, another incentive, awards monthly prizes to existing users of commute alternatives, selected at random. Carpool Rewards provides gas cards to carpools with three or more people. All three programs have seen strong increases in enrollment. Highlights include:

In May, The Clean Air Campaign received more than three times as many Cash for Commuters applications as were submitted in May of 2007.

· Almost five times as many Carpool Rewards applications were received in May 2008 when compared to the same month last year.
· Year to date, applications for both Cash for Commuters and Carpool Rewards are more than double the number submitted during the same timeframe last year.
· More than 300 Cash for Commuters applications were submitted in the first five days of June.

These numbers represent thousands of commuters who are saving money and reducing stress by hanging up their car keys. One of these commuters, Marvin Heath, began riding MARTA just over a month ago and is already enjoying multiple benefits of his new commute. “While I enjoy my job as an IT project manager, I'm an artist at heart. I noticed I was becoming less and less creative in my spare time because of the three hours I was spending each day in stop-and-go traffic. I also realized that I was fueling up twice a week at $60 a pop - or $480 per month!” Heath now takes MARTA to his job in Alpharetta, using his commute time to read and relax. He credits his new commute with helping him arrive home “refreshed,” ready to enjoy his creative pursuits. He’s also saving almost $200 a month.

“Every day we hear more stories of people who are improving their quality of life just by changing their commutes,” added Green. “While gasoline at $4 a gallon and a tough economy is a strong motivator for people to make a change, there are many benefits other than financial savings.”

Commuters looking for a cheaper, better way to get to work should visit www.CleanAirCampaign.com or call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) to learn more about the financial incentives and commute alternatives that are available.