“During tough economic times, we need to do everything we can to help residents conserve financial resources,” said Broome County Executive Barbara J. Fiala.”  Greenride offers individuals a way to reduce expenses by carpooling.”

 

The prime feature of this website is a carpool-matching program which allows users to find ridesharing opportunities. BMTS is utilizing the Greenride system developed by Ecology & Environment, Inc. of Lancaster NY. Greenride uses map-based architecture to manage the ridesharing program. Carpool matches are based on the user’s home and work location and personal transportation preferences. Registrants input which days of the week and travel times they need for carpooling, as well as personal preferences like riding only with people of the same gender, or non-smokers.

 

“The idea to promote car pooling came from the City of Binghamton Sustainable Development Planner Amelia LaDolce,” said County Legislator Jason Garnar (District 3) “We were then able to partner with BMTS and Tioga County to identify a way to promote and provide this service in the community. I encourage residents to sign on to the website to learn just how easy it is to carpool.”

 

In addition to the ridesharing option, the website offers links to information on other transportation options such as public transit, bicycling, and the online transportation provider directory.

 

“Broome-Tioga Greenride is a simple way for you to find out if there is someone you can carpool with,” said BMTS   “This secure and easy-to-use website is available to all residents within Broome and eastern Tioga Counties.”

 

The more people that register, the better the chance of finding a carpool partner. You can register by going to:

 

Step-by-step instructions will assist you in signing on and finding carpool matches and other transportation options.

 

Carpooling creates benefits both for the individual and the greater community.

s           Transportation is a rising part of household budgets, often as much as 20%. For some families, it approaches the cost of housing, as each member of the family has a car to drive themselves to work.

s           Gas prices are rising, but carpooling saves on more than gas. AAA’s index of cost of owning and operating a car is now at 54.1¢ a mile.

s           Every carpool takes one or more car off the road, which eases congestion and demand for parking spaces. Greater Binghamton does not have a lot of congestion, but the construction season has many roads constricted.

s           Driving less has the broader benefits of reducing air pollution [note that the American Academy of Pediatrics reports a long trend of increasing cases of childhood asthma]; helping America achieve energy independence; and making the planet greener by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

ü                  I’m a bit nervous about strangers finding out about me. If I sign up with Broome-Tioga Greenride, how will my privacy be protected? As the sponsor of Greenride, BMTS takes your privacy very seriously. While you provide some basic information when you register, like your name, address, e-mail, and destination, that is all hidden from potential carpool matches. In fact, when notified of a possible match, all you see is a first name and last initial. Something like “Based on your home and work location and hours, Steve G is a possible match.” You can choose to generate an e-mail through the Greenride site suggesting you meet to decide if you want to carpool.

 

ü                  How about my personal safety? We believe safety is paramount. Unless the potential carpool partner is someone you already know from work or your neighborhood, you should always arrange for an initial meeting in a very public place where you feel comfortable: a workplace cafeteria, a fast food restaurant. If you take personal responsibility and use courtesy and common sense, carpool matching is very safe.

 

ü                  Do I have to carpool every day? That’s between you and your carpool partner(s). Most people are flexible, since carpooling even a couple of days a week saves you money. So if you like to shop after work on Thursdays, or have to leave early on Monday for your son’s monthly visit to the orthodontist, just be courteous and arrange it in advance.

 

ü                  What if I don’t have a car? You can still sign up for Greenride, and check off under preferences that you cannot be a driver. You may well find a match who’s going your way.

 

ü                  What other preferences can I enter? You may be a woman who wants to be matched only with other women. Or a non-smoker who does not to want ride with a smoker. The Greenride registration lets you check off basic preferences, and uses them to find compatible matches.

 

ü                  Will Greenride only match me with people who live nearby?Greenride uses a map to automatically locate matches. This gives you the option to find matches along the way, or to meet in one of the area’s park & ride lots. This is especially useful for people who live in rural areas and work in town, or vice versa.

 

Get excited about going green! Log on to Broome-Tioga Greenride today at www.BroomeTioga.Greenride.com.

 

Any questions about the website can be directed to Scott Reigle, BMTS Greenride Administrator (778-2443 or sreigle@co.broome.ny.us).