News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 4, 2007

CONTACT:  Marge Gasnick, MARC RideShare Program Manager, 816/474-4240; or Jody Ladd Craig, jcraig@marc.org, 816/701-8241

Carpoolers drive to win in October

Share the Ride promotions taking place in Kansas and Missouri

Carpoolers create a win-win commute by taking turns driving and splitting gas costs, and now they have a chance to win great prizes during October. The Mid-America Regional Council’s RideShare program is running a month-long promotion through its Carpool Connection online ride-matching tool. Commuters in the metro area who are currently carpooling — and those brand new to it — have a chance to win gift certificates that can be redeemed at a variety of retailers, restaurants and specialty services.

Anyone who creates a new Carpool Connection account in October will be entered into a prize drawing. Active carpoolers will be entered into a separate drawing when they use the Mile Tracker feature to report their carpooling activity for the month. Prize winners will be notified by e-mail on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007.

Kansas and Missouri will also promote carpooling and vanpooling during October, proclaiming the first ever “Share the Ride” week in both states. Missouri’s statewide ridesharing campaign will take place the week of Oct. 22–26 and is sponsored by the Missouri Energy Center at the Department of Natural Resources. Kansas is planning a similar promotion in the Kansas City region during the same week to highlight ridesharing and encourage more people to explore their commute options.

RideShare, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Transportation, will serve coffee and doughnuts to commuters who use the park-and-ride lot at Highway 50 and Chipman Road in Lee’s Summit, Mo., the morning of Monday, Oct. 22.

RideShare is a publicly funded commuter matching service for anyone who lives, works or attends school in the Greater Kansas City area. The service informs people about less expensive and environmentally friendly commuting alternatives. RideShare also help employers develop alternative transportation programs. For more information, call 816/842-RIDE (7433) or visit www.marc.org/rideshare.

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