Find Your Commute Buddy (September)
The Campaign
This September, open yourself to the possibility of sharing your commute with someone. That can be trying the bus or train, biking, carpooling, or starting a vanpool with a colleague.
If you are trying to save money, reduce stress, get some exercise, read more, or spend more time at home with loved ones, changing your commute can help you meet all those goals!
To get you started, we are awarding eight Pierce County commuters with $25 for sharing their commute information on the Ride Together Pierce trip calendar. This information helps grow the ridematching database so you and other commuters can find someone to share your commute with.
💸How to Get Started
- Register on the trip calendar at RideTogetherPierce.com.
- Confirm the details on your account like your addresses and work network. That's it to be entered!
Use the Trip Planner to find potential matches with users who share your commute! You can look for carpool buddies, bike buddies, bus buddies, and more. If you need step-by-step instructions, follow these instructions. You do not need to find a commute buddy to qualify for the $25 prize drawing.
Already added your commute to the database? Be sure to confirm and save your commute anytime in September.
The prize drawing will take place mid-October, and the winners will receive a confirmation email from Ride Together Pierce and a prize email from Tango.
Benefits of Sharing a Commute
✅Save money
Driving alone can be expensive. Aside from the cost of gas, there is wear-and-tear on your car, possible tolls, and parking costs. Switching your commute is an impactful way to put money back in your wallet. A household can save nearly $10,000 by taking public transportation and living with one less car1. Take it a step further, walking or riding your bike can greatly reduce your commute costs!
✅Work on Your Fitness
Speaking of walking or bicycling, opting for an active commute can offer a lower insurance rate by reducing the miles you drive, save you money on a gym membership, eliminate parking costs, encourage you to buy only what you can carry, and decrease your doctor visits by helping you live a healthier lifestyle.
When cycling at a steady pace of 12-14 mph, the average person can burn about 240-336 calories an hour2. Even transit riders get a boost in physical activity. North Americans only walk an average of six minutes compared to public transit users' 19 minutes per day. Adopting a more active lifestyle helps lower the risk of depression, joint problems, diabetes, heart diseases and more3.
✅Reduce Stress
Those who are behind the wheel during commute hours know all too well how stressful driving can be. Leaving the car behind or sharing driving responsibilities mean you can look away from the road and spend time doing something you enjoy; read a book, play a game, learn a language, or even knit!
Another reason to start a sustainable commute? All sustainable commuters in Pierce County are eligible for an Emergency Ride Home in case of an emergency.
Interested in learning more? Check out our First-Timer User guides to get you started on your sustainable commute journey.
SOURCES
- American Public Transportation Association. (2022, September 21). Retrieved from Public transportation facts: https://www.apta.com/news-publications/public-transportation-facts/
- Harvard Health. (2021, March 8). Calories burned in 30 minutes of leisure and routine activities. Retrieved from Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-weight-loss/calories-burned-in-30-minutes-for-people-of-three-different-weights
- Litman, T. (2010, June 14). Evaluating Public Transportation Health Benefits. The American Public Transportation Association.