15 February 2007

ARTA Encourages Aucklanders To Share A Ride

A Rideshare software service trial set up by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) is giving over 15,000 Aucklanders the opportunity to contribute to reducing traffic congestion around the region by sharing a car journey. The secure software, part of the continuing development of ARTA's TravelWise Workplace Travel Plan programme which aims to take 3,500 cars off the road at morning peak by 2016, aims to broaden the range of transport choices Aucklanders have for their journey to or from work.

Rolling out over the next month, the pilot software is being trialled by TravelWise Workplace Travel Plan programme partners and will be reviewed in May. Partners developing Travel Plans include the North Shore City Council, Rodney District Council, Auckland Airport (Auckland International Airport Limited, HMSC-AIAL, AvSec, New Zealand Customs, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Air New Zealand), Universities (Auckland University of Technology, University of Auckland), Vodafone and Waitakere City Council.

Fergus Gammie, CEO ARTA says, "Reducing the number of cars on Auckland's roads is ARTA's focus - whether by encouraging use of public transport, walking, cycling or sharing lifts in cars. Our aim is to get Auckland moving by offering more travel choices. The Rideshare service forms part of a suite of products we've been developing to support organisations make it easier for their employees to get around the region. If the pilot is successful we'll roll out the ridesharing service across organisations taking part in our Workplace Travel Plan programme".

Mr Gammie highlighted potential benefits of Workplace Travel plans for individuals as having a less stressful commute to and from work, making new friends, sharing transport costs and more leisure time through less driving. He also said organisations can benefit from getting involved in the TravelWise Workplace Travel Plan programme through reduced transport associated costs, increased staff productivity due to stress reduction and improving their corporate social responsibility by contributing to reducing congestion and air pollution in Auckland amongst others.

In addition to workplaces, the TravelWise programme is working in partnership with Schools, tertiary institutions to implement a series of actions and activities to create and highlight more travel choices for Aucklanders.

ARTA is releasing its Sustainable Transport Plan on Friday 16 February which outlines how ARTA's action plans to help reduce traffic congestion around Auckland and increase the number of travel choices available to Aucklanders and continuing to work closely with the Auckland's local and regional councils, Land Transport NZ, ONTRACK and Transit NZ.

More information is available on the Workplace Travel Plan programme at www.travelwise.org.nz .

ENDS