Ride Share is coming to Shaw Published April 21, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Gena Armstrong 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Ride Share, a new carpooling program under development for Shaw Air Force Base, will provide civilian and military base employees with an alternative means of getting to work that includes extra benefits. Contracted vans will be provided as carpool vehicles, and commuting routes will be planned to efficiently pick up and drop off participants living in the same relative area. By carpooling, personnel can help cut down on issues such as traffic congestion, limited parking, and carbon dioxide emissions. Share Riders will also personally benefit by saving money on the cost of gas. "The vanpool program is set up so that hopefully that cost will be reduced and that they won't have to put wear and tear on their vehicle to ride to base," said Gary Hallmark, Shaw Air Force Base community planner and member of the Ride Share planning committee. Mr. Hallmark cautions that the vanpool will not be entirely free. Participants will need to sign a contract with the vanpool provider and pay a monthly fee. "The individual then can get a voucher to pay for that service," added Mr. Hallmark. A Department of Defense mass transportation benefit program funds car pools for federal employees during their commute to and from work, paying up to $230 a month to Ride Share participants. The Pentagon and Fort McPherson are two installations already taking advantage of this program. Shaw's Ride Share program will be open to both military and civilian workers. Those who are interested just need to fill out a survey located on the base webpage or contact Mr. Hallmark. They can also see the carpooling vans in person, and find out more information at the informational booth on display at the Earth Day fair in the Shaw Base Exchange parking lot Thursday, April 22nd.
Ride Share is coming to Shaw Published April 21, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Gena Armstrong 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Ride Share, a new carpooling program under development for Shaw Air Force Base, will provide civilian and military base employees with an alternative means of getting to work that includes extra benefits. Contracted vans will be provided as carpool vehicles, and commuting routes will be planned to efficiently pick up and drop off participants living in the same relative area. By carpooling, personnel can help cut down on issues such as traffic congestion, limited parking, and carbon dioxide emissions. Share Riders will also personally benefit by saving money on the cost of gas. "The vanpool program is set up so that hopefully that cost will be reduced and that they won't have to put wear and tear on their vehicle to ride to base," said Gary Hallmark, Shaw Air Force Base community planner and member of the Ride Share planning committee. Mr. Hallmark cautions that the vanpool will not be entirely free. Participants will need to sign a contract with the vanpool provider and pay a monthly fee. "The individual then can get a voucher to pay for that service," added Mr. Hallmark. A Department of Defense mass transportation benefit program funds car pools for federal employees during their commute to and from work, paying up to $230 a month to Ride Share participants. The Pentagon and Fort McPherson are two installations already taking advantage of this program. Shaw's Ride Share program will be open to both military and civilian workers. Those who are interested just need to fill out a survey located on the base webpage or contact Mr. Hallmark. They can also see the carpooling vans in person, and find out more information at the informational booth on display at the Earth Day fair in the Shaw Base Exchange parking lot Thursday, April 22nd.