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Latest News
SPC Adopts 2035 Regional Transportation and Development Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania
On June 28, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) adopted the region’s new long range plan in the culmination of Project Region, a process that has been among the most aggressive, inclusive, and expansive public participation efforts ever to be undertaken by a regional planning agency.
SPC utilized a wide variety of meeting formats, technology applications, and information gathering and dissemination techniques to empower people throughout the region to get involved in planning for their future. The Project Region Meetings, the Regional Town Hall, and other events of 2006 and 2007 created regional consensus on the transportation and development vision for the region.
The Regional Vision: Transportation and land use that supports and enhances the regional economy and the communities within it.
The 2035 Regional Transportation and Development Plan for Southwestern Pennsylvania and its companion reports are available on SPC’s website at www.spcregion.org.
Governor Rendell Signs Measure to Make Historic Investment in Transportation
Read the Governor’s Press Release by clicking here
CommuteInfo Adds New Feature to Website – Sortable Vanpool Listing
Based on comments the CommuteInfo program staff have received from current vanpool riders and visitors to the CommuteInfo website, a new feature to allow website visitors to see a listing of all of the vanpools on-line has been developed. The listing includes information on the vanpool groups’ starting and ending locations/times and how many seats are available. This is one more way for people to find out about the vanpool groups. Check out this new resource by clicking here: http://www.msspcregion.org/vanpool.asp
Watch for CommuteInfo on Comcast Newsmakers
Look for CommuteInfo on Comcast Newsmakers during July. Comcast Newsmakers provides a free forum for nonprofit organizations and community leaders, as well as local, State and Federal officials to present events and issues important to Western Pennsylvania. Comcast Newsmakers can be seen at :25 and :55 minutes past the hour on CNN Headline News by more than 670,000 Comcast subscribers in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington and Westmoreland Counties.
If you don’t have Comcast as your cable company you can still view the segment which is available for viewing from the CommuteInfo website, by clicking here. The segment is a MPG movie file and should play on any software that supports this type of file.
CommuteInfo and IndiGO - Indiana County Transit Authority on WIUP-TV
If you have Comcast cable television in Indiana County and watch WIUP-TV (channel 20), you may see the CommuteInfo Program Developer, Lisa Kay Schweyer and Jerry Blair, the Executive Director for Indigo. They recently taped a special public service announcement focusing on commuting alternatives regionally as well as within Indiana County.
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Special Feature: Human Resource Managers Ask…
This month’s special feature is a sample of some of the questions the CommuteInfo staff receives from regional human resources managers and the answers:
How can the CommuteInfo program help me in my day to day role?
Commuting alternatives or the lack of them may impact your recruitment efforts, retaining staff, and your company’s bottom line. The CommuteInfo program staff talks with commuters everyday. Many of the commuters who call the CommuteInfo program are looking for work, or have a job but won’t be able to continue working unless they find another way to get there. Companies that provide commuter choice benefits as a pre-tax option may also be able to save their company money on payroll taxes, for a positive impact on the bottom line.
I am really busy. I don’t want to have to create new forms, etc. What resources can you make available to me?
The CommuteInfo website has a special section for employers. There are pre-written articles, posters and other information which can be accessed and downloaded 24 hours a day. The CommuteInfo staff would welcome the opportunity to customize any of the materials you would need, free of charge.
What percent of people who sign up for carpooling are actually matched with a possible carpool match?
On average, 66% of people who register looking for carpooling matches are provided with at least one other person who has indicated they are interested in carpooling.
What percent of people who sign up for vanpooling are matched with a possible vanpool group match?
On average, 12% of people who register looking for vanpooling matches are provided with at least one vanpool group that matches their commuting requirements. The current vanpool fleet has 33 vehicles operating in the region and over a 90% occupancy rate. A group of 6 or more commuters who want to share a ride might be able to start a new group. Contact the CommuteInfo office for more information.
Do you have other questions you would like to have answered?
Email (commuteinfo@spcregion.org) or call (1-888-819-6110) today!
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Did You Know?
Beaver County Transit Authority implemented annual service changes on July 2, 2007.
Routes affected by this year's changes are Route 1, Route 2, Route 3, and Route 8. Please visit www.bcta.com for updated schedule information, or call BCTA’s Customer Information Line at 724-728-8600 to have your questions answered and/or request schedules to be mailed directly to you.
Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority to accept credit cards
Starting August 1st, MMVTA will accept credit cards by phone, at the Transit Center and on MMVTA.com for bus ticket purchases. (Currently, for Routes A &B only)
MMVTA will accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover!
You will still be able to purchase tickets from MMVTA drivers using exact fare (sorry cash only). The MMVTA will also continue honoring personal checks using the mail order form. Currently, you can access a mail order form by visiting www.mmvta.com and clicking on the Ticket Sales link.
Port Authority’s Rider Report
Rider Report is a monthly electronic newsletter designed specifically for Port Authority riders and all those with an interest in Authority-related news, service and activities. Rider Report features a news column from Port Authority Chief Executive Officer Steve Bland, as well as information about Port Authority’s corporate and community involvement, current events and ongoing projects. The e-newsletter also provides Port Authority customers with details about service changes, park and ride lots, detours, marketing promotions, special events and Port Authority trivia, among other information. Rider Report can be accessed from the home page of Port Authority’s Web site, www.PortAuthority.org. To receive Rider Report electronically, send an e-mail to RiderReport@portauthority.org.
City of Pittsburgh -- Invitation to Provide Feedback
The Mayor of Pittsburgh invites you to attend any of the following upcoming meetings (related to biking and pedestrian issues):
Working together to make Oakland Bicycle Friendly
Tuesday August 7 at 6:30
Scaife Conference Center in room 1105AB
3550 Terrace Street in Oakland
(view meeting flyer by clicking here)
Bridge the Gaps in Pedestrian Safety
Wednesday, August 15 at 7:00 PM
The Brashear Association
2005 Sarah Street on the South Side
(view meeting flyer by clicking here)
For more information, contact Richard Meritzer at 412.255.2102 or richard.meritzer@city.pittsburgh.pa.us.
Want to know more about biking as a commuting alternative, click here to access the biking page on the CommuteInfo website.

“Ready, Set, Walk!” Challenge Steps Oakland in the Right Direction
In June 2007, the Oakland Transportation Management Association took their pedestrian message to the Oakland streets. Read more about the Walk Challenge by clicking here.
Want to know more about walking as a commuting alternative, click here to access the other ridesharing options page on the CommuteInfo website.
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We are always looking for community events or speaking opportunities where CommuteInfo can be represented – please email us with your ideas!

With approximately 60% of the Southwestern Pennsylvania region's 1.5 million workers traveling outside of their resident municipality to work each day, commuting options are clearly an integral part of life for the region’s employers and workers.
CommuteInfo is a program of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), operated in partnership with transportation management associations, transportation providers, businesses and non-profit service organizations throughout Southwestern PA.
Through the strong network of partnerships, the CommuteInfo program offers a wide range of ride-sharing services to employers and commuters within the region, including a toll free phone number for information requests and referrals, vanpool/carpool rider matching, transit/biking/walking resources as well as park and ride lot information. CommuteInfo serves commuters and employers in 10 counties, including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland.
You have received this message because you have signed up for the e-newsletter on the CommuteInfo website. If you have received this in error or no longer wish to receive messages from CommuteInfo, please reply to this message with your unsubscribe request.
Thanks again for your interest in commuting alternatives and CommuteInfo . . . a better way to work. |