Ridesharing Helps Maryland Motorists Combat Rising Fuel Costs and Reduce Congestion along Maryland Roadways          
          
(June 23, 2008) – When it comes to saving on gasoline, two heads are really better than one. Whether your daily commute takes you down the street or into a neighboring county, the price of driving to and from your destination has a profound impact on what’s in your wallet. Add to your discontent the feeling you get when you are stuck in congestion and you watch your gas gauge fall like an autumn leaf. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has a sensible solution - carpooling - or ridesharing, as we say in the 21st century. Approximately 7,300 people getting together each day at SHA park and ride lots are already saving money on gas, reducing vehicle wear and tear and rotating driving responsibilities. There is a parking space at a lot near you – no reservations are required.          
          
While saving money is great for commuters, ridesharing also helps reduce traffic congestion and air pollution from vehicle emissions. Annually, ride sharers are traveling nearly 111 million fewer miles than if they were driving alone, and can boast of improving the air we breathe by reducing 90 million pounds of greenhouse gas emission that contribute to global warming.          
          
“Ridesharing has become an integral part of reducing highway congestion and SHA is working with local governments to expand facilities across the state,” said Neil J. Pedersen, SHA Administrator. “According to SHA’s latest ride sharing survey, a person who would have traveled a roundtrip of approximately 66 miles to work but now carpools saves an average of $560 a month or $6,720 annually in fuel cost, vehicle maintenance and depreciation. That’s enough to make a significant dent in a car loan or to relax with a nice family vacation.”          
          
Getting started is as simple as getting together with co-workers who live in your area and deciding where to meet every morning. SHA maintains nearly 100 ridesharing facilities across the State. There are more than 4,500 parking spaces available for interested commuters, including 260 spaces available in Accokeek, Prince George’s County at the intersection of MD 210 (Indian Head Highway) at MD 373 (Accokeek Road). SHA has more than 250 spaces available at the park and ride lot located within the I-270/MD 117 (West Diamond Avenue) interchange and 226 available spaces at the US 29 (Columbia Pike)/MD 216 (Skaggsville Road) park and ride lot in Howard County. For a complete list of SHA park and ride locations, log onto to www.marylandroads.com and click on “Keeping Current”.          
          
Another reason to consider ridesharing is tax incentives. To obtain more information about possible tax benefits, log onto www.commuterchoicemaryland.com. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (WASHCOG) also has extensive information on forming carpools. WASHCOG guarantees registrants a ride home in the Washington Metropolitan area in the event of an emergency or unexpected overtime. To learn more, go to www.commuterconnections.org. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) maintains more than 20,000 spaces throughout the State and carpoolers are encouraged to use them. To locate parking lots near you, log onto www.mtamaryland.com and click “About MTA.”           
          
Motorists who participate in a ridesharing program are eligible to travel in High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV 2) lanes in Maryland. SHA estimates that HOV usage saves commuters an average of four to six minutes each direction on both highways in commuting time. Maryland offers HOV facilities along two roadways, I-270 in Montgomery County and US 50 (John Hanson Highway) in Prince George’s County.          
          
All SHA park and ride lots offer free parking and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information on ridesharing, call toll-free 1-800-204-4828 or send an e-mail to parknride@sha.state.md.us.          
          
As SHA celebrates 100 Years of Modern Road Building in Maryland, we’re committed to customer service and delivering a safe, sound and environmentally friendly roadway network. In all your travels, whether walking, biking or driving, always Choose Safety for Life and B-SAFE: Buckle Up, Slow down - speeding kills, Always Drive Sober, Focus, Everyone share the Road. Learn more at www.choosesafetyforlife.com.          
          
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