| With California leading the nation with soaring
gasoline prices at record highs in March, and prices expected to climb even
higher because of cuts in oil production, Sacramento Region motorists have
found ways to beat the skyrocketing cost of commuting: carpooling, vanpooling
and bicycling.
In March California gas prices hit an all-time high
of $2.18 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).
That price compares to a record average high of $1.80 per gallon nationwide.
The benefits of car and vanpooling include sharing
driving and parking costs, and in some cases free parking. And, the use of
high-occupancy vehicle or HOV lanes can shave time – as well as money
– off the commute.
Help with high gas prices is available through the
Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Rideshare Program, which assists
commuters with locating car and vanpool partners and bike buddies.
“Carpooling and vanpooling can be fun and it
can reduce the stress of driving in traffic,” said Nancy Kays, SACOG
Rideshare Manager. “You save money, time, and do your part for cleaner air
and less traffic congestion.”
To get help with finding carpool and vanpool
partners, as well as “bike buddies,” contact 1-800-Commute, or
www.1800commute.org 1-800-Commute is a
program of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), the
transportation funding and planning agency for the six-county Sacramento
Region. For further information, please contact Phyllis Miller, at (916)
340-6224.
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