November
5,
2003
CONTACT:
Dave Sotero/Marc Littman
MTA MEDIA RELATIONS
(213) 922-3007/922-2700 www.metro.net/press/pressroom
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MTA
Announces Free Emergency Vanpool Program for Employers
Companies
that establish new vanpools will receive 100% van lease subsidy from MTA
MTA
today announced it would subsidize the vehicle lease cost for new employer
vanpools to help employees get to and from work during the transit strike and
beyond.
For a limited time, MTA will
pay 100% of an 8-15 passenger van lease for at least 30 days from the time a new
vanpool group begins. Riders will be responsible for their fuel costs unless
their employer makes other provisions.
"MTA understands that the
current work stoppage has affected many workers' ability to get to and from
work," said Roger Snoble, MTA CEO. "We apologize for this inconvenience, and
are committed to working with employers to make vanpooling a viable
transportation solution."
To be eligible for the van
lease subsidy, employer worksites must be in Los Angeles County and be
pre-qualified by MTA. Employers may apply for eligibility as a collective group
or as a representative of an industrial complex or multi-tenant building. Vans
must be open to the public and be 60% full to receive the vanpool subsidy.
Employees must be L.A. County residents or commute at least 15 miles within the
county.
MTA is currently outreaching
to employers throughout Los Angeles County to take advantage of the program.
Boeing Satellite Systems of El Segundo is among the program's early
participants. Working with MTA, the company has established a vanpool to
transport 10 employees who normally take public transportation between its
office and the Metro Green Line Station in Norwalk.
All employer vanpools will be
registered on www.ridematch.info,
Southern California's regional rideshare web database. The web site provides
carpool and vanpool match lists, maps and other resources needed for commuters
to initiate rideshare relationships. There are now more than 300,000 rideshare
registrants currently in the database, with more added every day.
MTA has also recently
announced the launch of the "Metro School Pool" Rideshare Program, which
works with public, private and charter schools and school districts to establish
an exclusive database of families interested in forming or joining a carpool at
specific elementary and secondary school campuses within Los Angeles County.
For additional information or
to participate in the MTA emergency vanpool program, call 213-922-2445.
MTA-167