In recognition of the 30th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is initiating a partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) Commute Connections. Commute Connections, a federally funded program that began in 1994 encourages the use of alternative transportation (bus, rail, carpool, vanpool, walk, or bicycle) and offers the Guaranteed Ride Home (GRH) component for employees. The GRH provides a taxi ride or car rental for any employee who has an emergency or unscheduled requirement to work overtime which prevents them from using their normal mode of alternative transportation to return home. These features seek to improve the air quality and traffic congestion by reducing the number of vehicles on the roads and number of trips in the Atlanta region.
EPA officials are taking the lead among federal agencies by joining the partnership now. Employees must complete a registration form to qualify for the program benefits. A state-of-the-art ride matching software system (RIDEPRO) will integrate interested commuters in the regional database with some 96,000 other participants in the region. Ride matches are then made and validated with speed and precision. Set guidelines for participants and supervisors are in place to authorize utilization of the program. Persons may obtain application forms through the Commute Connections toll-free hotline, 1-87 RIDEFIND (1-877/433-3463) or complete an application via internet access at http://www.commuteconnections.com or via fax at 404/463-3105.
From the Daily Regulatory Reporter
