Omnitrans urges commuters to take a break from traffic and try transit on Wednesday, October 9, using a free ride coupon available online at www.omnitrans.org that allows unlimited bus travel for the entire day.
Omnitrans is serving up free rides in support of Inland Empire Commuter Services’ annual Rideshare Week, October 7 through 11. The event promotes the benefits of carpooling, vanpooling, walking, bicycling and riding public transit as alternatives to solo driving, which contributes to traffic congestion, smog and stress for commuters. Participants who pledge to rideshare at least one day during Rideshare Week 2013 can register to win one of more than 100 prizes at: www.ie511.org.
“We hope a free ride encourages people to take us for a test ride,” said Omnitrans director of marketing Wendy Williams. “We offer routing assistance online or by phone and with our new ‘NexTrip’ real-time technology, riders can text, click or call to find out when the next bus will arrive at their specific bus stop location.”
Omnitrans provides an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to driving. In southern California, transit users save more than $11,000 per year compared to driving. One person switching to public transit can reduce carbon emissions by 20 pounds per day, or more than 4,800 pounds in a year. Omnitrans’ bus fleet is 100 percent powered by clean natural gas, which significantly reduces smog-causing emissions compared to other fuels.
During Rideshare Week 2012, Omnitrans saw record ridership with an average of 66,000 riders each day. On a typical weekday, the transit agency tallies about 52,500 boardings.
