>From: [log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [transport-communications] Internet-based rideshare service debuts
>Date: Thu, Jul 22, 1999, 14:14
>

> From the ITS America Web site....
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Redmond, Wash., July 20 - Commuters on Lake Washington's Eastside will now
> find it easier to share a ride in to work with a neighbor each day, every
> other day, or even the second Thursday of each month. A new self-serve,
> online ridesharing system instantly matches motorists commuting to any
> Redmond area company with others travelling to and from the same area.
>
> This innovative new service is called RIDEQUEST.COM. RIDEQUEST.COM was
> developed by the employer owned Greater Redmond Transportation Management
> Association (GRTMA) with funding from Smart Trek, the State's Oil Rebate
> Competitive Grant Program and technical support and encouragement from King
> County Metro.
>
> RIDEQUEST.COM was introduced to the public and press at a demonstration event
> on Wednesday, July 21 at:
>
> Location: Lake Washington School District Administration Building
> Address: 16250 NE 74th St.
> Redmond, WA 98052
> (425) 702-3200
> Time: 1:30 p.m.
>
> "Our goal is to make it easier to get to work, whether through the use of
> transit, vanpooling or any other type of alternative transportation that
> works," said Donna Ambrose, Executive Director of the Greater Redmond TMA.
> "We recognize however, that transit is not an option for many Redmond-bound
> commuters, so RIDEQUEST.COM was developed to help them find others with whom
> they can share the ride in a carpool or vanpool."
>
> RIDEQUEST.COM offers travelers a free ride match system through the Internet.
> Users register and log on using a password, type in their work schedules and
> business and home locations, and within minutes receive a list of others
> whose commute matches theirs.
>
> RIDEQUEST.COM is totally different than existing ridematching programs in the
> following ways.
> 1) Since it is on the web, commuters can use RIDEQUEST.COM to instantly find
> ride share partners anytime, anywhere they have access to the Internet.
> 2) Completely self-directed, commuters can update or delete their records,
> change work schedules, pick-up and drop-off locations, and find new matches.
> 3) Maps show the general area where their matches live so they can choose for
> themselves whether or not someone lives close enough to share a ride.
> 4) Vanpool groups can select up to 10 additional locations to pick-up or
> drop-off commuters.
> 5) Provides connection with King County Metro Ridematch services.
>
> King County Executive Ron Sims is a strong supporter of applying advances in
> technology to transportation problems. He is investigating how to adapt the
> program for use on King County's website for use by all Puget Sound commuters.
>
> "We now provide ride-matching services by phone, by mail, by fax and even
> E-maill, so this jump to the Internet is the next step," says Sims. "What's
> exciting about RIDEQUEST.COM is the way private businesses are working with
> us in government to be smart about reducing congestion in our region at a
> fraction of the cost of new roads. Internet technology now makes it much
> easier to share a ride, save money and time. Better yet, federal and state
> funding means the program is free to be adapted for use by other public and
> private entities."
>
> City of Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives is also excited by this new approach to
> assisting commuters. "RIDEQUEST.COM is cutting edge," she said emphatically.
> "It connects people who work in Redmond, while helping to reduce gridlock and
> improve air quality. Carpooling transforms an unpleasant experience into an
> opportunity for new friendships, for employees to learn about and support
> other businesses, and for personal stress reduction."
>
> Greater Redmond TMA officials believe as many as 5,000 commuters will
> eventually be using the system over the next few years. Several area
> commuters have already become regular users of the first release of
> RIDEQUEST.COM. Beginning today with the release of this new, improved
> version, anyone registering with RIDEQUEST.COM will receive a free coupon for
> a beverage at Seattle's Best Coffee and regular carpoolers and vanpoolers
> will also be eligible to win special prizes during a kick-off promotion
> starting September 1, through November 30, 1999. Commuters looking to find a
> rideshare partner can visit RIDEQUEST.COM on the Internet at
> http://www.RIDEQUEST.COM.
>
> The Greater Redmond TMA is an organization of 170 area employers, including
> the City of Redmond and Lake Washington School District. The GRTMA is
> dedicated to reducing single occupant vehicle trips to employer worksites.
> The Association provides a comprehensive array of innovative commute trip
> reduction services and products to educate, motivate and improve access to
> alternate methods of commuting for area workers. GRTMA member companies
> employ over 35,000 employees. Smart Trek is a $17.9 million Intelligent
> Transportation Systems demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of
> Transportation, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and
> private companies as part of the federal government's Model Deployment
> Initiative (MDI).
>
>                                                    -30-
> For More Information Contact:
>
> Donna Ambrose (425) 556-2401
> Pete Briglia (206) 543-3331
> Michael Richards (206) 623-0232 x 202
> ===============================================
> To send a response to the Transport Communications list, address your message
> to: [log in to unmask]
>
> To subscribe to the Transport Communications List send an e-mail message to:
> [log in to unmask]
>
> To unsubscribe send a message to:
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Bernie Wagenblast
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Don't know which one to buy? Productopia does.
> http://clickhere.egroups.com/click/554
>
>
> eGroups.com home: http://www.egroups.com/group/transport-communications
> http://www.egroups.com - Simplifying group communications
>
>
>
> 


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%