From: North Central Texas Council of Governments
Commuters who want to leave their cars at home but don’t have access to mass transit have a new resource to help them find rides to work. Tryparkingit.com has introduced a new ride-matching component that allows users to find carpools and vanpools near their homes.
The expansion of this alternative-commute web site gives Dallas-Fort Worth a comprehensive, integrated ride-sharing program. The new option combines the resources of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) and Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) to create a user-friendly site that will give commuters more choices for getting to work and provide insurance against unpredictable commuting costs.
The goal of the program is to relieve traffic congestion, thereby improving the reliability of the transportation system for all commuters. Another benefit is the improvement of the region’s air quality, since Dallas-Fort Worth is an ozone nonattainment area.
To join a carpool or vanpool, visit www.tryparkingit.com and enter your name, address and the address of your employer. You will then be matched with several potential drivers within 10 miles of your home. You may update in your profile whether you would be willing to drive, if you smoke and how you would prefer to be notified of matches. Ride-sharing information maintained by the three public transportation agencies will be available at the NCTCOG-administered site.
Potential users of the service can contact their chosen matches to arrange to share a ride to work. To help find people to ride with, the program provides maps, but limits users’ ability to zoom in.
Those who don’t have computers may call for matches. In the DART service area, the number is 214-747-RIDE (7433); The T can be reached at 817-336-RIDE (7433); DCTA can be reached at 972-221-4600.
Since October 2006, Tryparkingit.com has offered residents the opportunity to keep track of their daily commutes. Commuters have saved more than 3 million miles by choosing to ride transit, share a ride, telecommute or opting for other ways to reduce the number of vehicle trips.
Tags: Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Denton County Transportation Authority, Fort Worth Transportation Authority, North Central Texas Council of Governments, tryparkingit.com
