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[ Transit ] [ Vanpools ] [ Carpools ] Biking ] [ Employers ]
"Meg" from Seven Fields, Butler County
"Since I have been riding the bus (December 9, 2003) I have read 50 books!"
"Jen M.," Port Authority 13A Bus Rider
"What can I say, I was very hesitant to ride a bus, feeling very unfamiliar with the territory. I have been driving downtown for years to come to work. Now, I am using the bus and I am very happy that I gave the experience a chance. I am now a “regular” with a bus passJ. I save around $200 dollars a month and I get a few minutes before and after work to relax and let someone else do the driving!"
"Teri Z." (also a winner of one of the August 2006 $50 gift cards)
"I was lucky enough to have someone in my office live within 1 mile from me. We commuted together to work and alternated driving. Even though this helped, we were still spending so much money on gas and parking. Eventually a new bus route from the North Hills directly to Oakland became available. I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful this is. We barely add on any time with the commute and it is saving us quite a bit of our paycheck!”
"Jimmy"
"Taking the Port Authority buses is simply a win-win
situation. First off, I do not have to incur any traffic headaches or parking
woes. The savings from not having to pay parking fees can be directed into
my IRA and my son's college fund. I have made a resolution this year to read
more. What could be easier than reading on my morning commute while some one
else has to do the driving? In the afternoon, I can catch a quick nap to be
refreshed for the evenings' activities. The wear and tear on my car is another
thing I do not have to worry about. My commute is approximately 18 miles,
so I save 36
miles a day on my vehicle. That saves on parts and maintenance too. With gas
prices rising astronomically, I save further by not having to spend my wages
on fuel. What is not to gain from taking transit? I will ride transit as long
as it is offered. It is one of the easiest, smartest moves that I ever made."
"John"
"I called
the toll-free CommuteInfo line because I was desperate to get to the new Children's
Hospital. I do not own a car and desperately needed to keep my job. After
discussing the various ridesharing options, the CommuteInfo staff put me in
touch with one of the CommuteInfo program partners, Port Authority. Unfortunately
there were no scheduled trips available on the bus to meet my needs. The staff
at Port Authority researched my trip and was able get me to my destination
on bus service using on and off-road trips (going to and from the garage).
Even though this added some length to my commute, I was thrilled because I
was able to get there and keep my job."
"Kelly"
"I had been commuting into downtown Pittsburgh
for my job for over one year. I knew the 1 1/4 hour drive was frustrating,
but it was also costing me a lot of money - $2860 a year, just in parking!
I was living in a rural area and was not really sure how to access the bus
service. I also knew I did not want my trip to take any longer. I was able
to find
a solution driving part way and taking a Port Authority bus. I also am able
to take advantage of my employer's transit benefit so I pay even less to ride
the bus! It takes almost the same amount of time, I am saving lots of money
and there is a lot less aggravation!"
"Lisa"
"I ride Westmoreland
Transit to my job in downtown Pittsburgh. I really enjoy not having to drive
& having more time to read or even take a nap! Riding the bus certainly
makes my commute a LOT less stressful."
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“Brian” from Cranberry
“Vanpooling can be flexible. I am able to ride a vanpool part-time which is helpful because I travel a lot with my job.”
"Ken" from Butler County, PA (a CommuteInfo vanpool program participant – joined in September 2007): I have found a match for commuting to Pittsburgh and the driver is very nice along with everyone else that rides down in the van. I am very happy with the service and I'm extremely grateful for finding out about it. The rate for the service is very fair as I would be paying at least twice if not more just for parking let alone the cost of gas and using my own car.
I would definitely recommend others to use this service.
"Clyde" from Eastern Westmoreland County:
“My van pool experience began in April 1985. At that point my transportation to down town Pittsburgh was via bus, then car pool. My residence is a little East of Latrobe PA, so although the bus was reliable, it certainly was not convenient, nor economical. The lady with whom I was car pooling told me about something called a van pool. The more she talked, the more I wanted to hear. Two openings became available, and she and I filled the slots. I've been riding van pool since.
Being part of a van pool has also led to many good friendships over the years which has just been an excellent experience.
It has worked for me over the past 22 years. I've let this part to last, but it may be of some merit, I'm legally blind, so finding transportation with the qualities mentioned above, has been a real blessing.”
"Angela R." from Butler County, PA (a CommuteInfo vanpool program participant & one of the $50 gift card winners of the December 2006 recruitment incentive)
“My typical commute was 1 ½ hours one way if I was lucky and traffic was not bad. So I spent over 15 hours a week in a vehicle. I wanted to find other alternatives to travel to and from work. Also, winter weather conditions was a big factor in finding safe transportation. Since contacting CommuteInfo, I have joined a vanpool and it is much easier and faster. Let CommuteInfo help you by finding alternative modes of transportation.”
"Dan W." from Butler, PA (a CommuteInfo program volunteer vanpool driver)
Once upon a time … (just couldn’t resist) in Butler Pennsylvania, I became aware of a job opening at the University of Pittsburgh, and my wife and I considered the logistics of the commute. She reminded me that there was a white van with the large blue “Pitt” logo on the side of it, in the Evans City Park-N-Ride lot, where I would be passing by anyhow. So I applied for the job at the University, and was hired. Then I contacted the Rideshare Office [the vanpool program is now operated as part of the regional CommuteInfo program] and was placed on the Cranberry van’s waiting list. I was told it may be two days, two weeks, or up to two years before I could become a rider. I was fortunate. I drove myself to Oakland from Butler, for my orientation. The very next day, an opening came up and I have been on the van for over 5 years now. I started off as a rider for a week or so, then shared the driving responsibilities on an every other week basis. Then I took over the primary driver spot. The van I drive for gets along splendidly. We all employ the community culture and respect each others space. We discuss all issues together and make decisions to benefit the group as a whole. Most of our riders share their ideas or voice concerns, which I pass along to the proper personnel. I don’t mind driving and commuting as a group makes the travel time seem insignificant. We still occasionally receive inquiries as to how our riders are doing, from past riders still in the area. So, I guess we must be doing something right.
Well that’s about it, so it is only fitting that I close with … The End. "
"Elaine W"
"I have been riding a van since the early 1980's . . .
I find this to be an excellent method of commuting to the city. I have met a host of wonderful people and even a few jerks . . . but the good far out weighs the bad.
I have no complaints only compliments to the folks who keep this organization up and running for us."
"Dan D "
"Wow, why would I ever want to drive my car into downtown. My fuel costs are less than half of what they were; my auto insurance has been reduced because I rideshare and don’t drive my car into downtown; and because my mileage is low, my routine maintenance (and wear and tear) has been lessened. I now have fewer trips to the dealership for those costly “check-ups.” In the past 8 months, I have not driven my car into downtown; I ride public transit 5 days a week and love it.
When I landed my new job in Pittsburgh (I live in Latrobe), a family member suggested that I look into various commuting options. At first, I thought "No way." Like a lot of people, I like to have total control on my schedule and transportation because, like a lot of people, I don't work an 8:00 to 5:00 schedule.
The more I thought about it, the more I thought I would at least get more of the facts before I made a final decision.
I was put in touch with the vanpool driver who told me the information I wanted to know -
The next thing I did was to call my new employer and asked them if they would work with me to fit the van's schedule. They had no problem with it.
I made my final decision to take the ride share van after the driver invited me to take a "test ride" to see how I liked it. So I started riding the van. We park less than two blocks from my office. You can't beat that. As far as the cost is concerned- you can't drive from Latrobe to Greensburg....let alone from Latrobe to Pittsburgh for $125.00 a month when you add everything (gas, parking, maintenance, depreciation).
There's other benefit that I really didn't give much thought to – so I can rest on the way back and forth."
"Don L"
“I don't know why people do not want to make the switch to trying a vanpool. Everyday, as I turn on to the I-279 HOV, I see traffic backed up that far. I guess people just want their independence and do not concern themselves with the extra expense of gas and parking leases. To me, it doesn't make sense.”
"Al" From Westmoreland County
"I have been commuting to work via vanpooling for over 15 years. I estimate that I have kept approximately 221,000 miles off of my personal car over that time.
The cost of vanpooling is more than offset by the savings in parking costs, fuel costs, personal vehicle maintenance costs, and reduction in auto insurance in not using your personal vehicle to commute. “Vanpooling” just makes good financial sense.
It is also worth mentioning the relaxed state of being in not having to drive in traffic, also the camaraderie with fellow passengers – especially our vanpool."
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"Cathy G." from Washington County, PA (a CommuteInfo program participant & one of the $50 gift card winners of the July 2006 recruitment incentive)
“My current commute is 32 miles. Currently I carpool with another individual, but we would prefer a vanpool [anyone want to help them form a new group?]. By looks of all the construction on 22-30 east bound from OH, WV and all the traffic, congestion, and back-up. Most of the vehicles I see…at 7:15 am only have one person in them, such a waste of gas. Vanpooling is a more economical way of traveling.
I have been working in Pittsburgh for over 30 years, and everyone I explain my commute to is amazed at the cost. There is no way I could have driven my own car in for this price.
Thanks for all of you time and effort to keep my commute an enjoyable one."
"Mary"
"I really enjoy carpooling to work. Wendy and I take
turns driving. Between
listening to the radio and talking, the drive seems to go really fast!"
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"Scott"
"I
ride my bike part way to work because it guarantees that I will never get
caught up in a downtown traffic jam."
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"April"
"Commuter assistance is one of the key concerns of Westmoreland County businesses. CommuteInfo is a great resource and is a definite plus in helping to create a more attractive business climate for area employers and employees.”
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The CommuteInfoSM Program:
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