Contact: Sandi Moody or Sheila Martin

Phone: (813) 282-8200 or (800) 998-7433

E-mail: smoody@atlantic.net; smartin@atlantic.net

Celebrate the Tampa Bay Area 10^th Annual Commuter Choices Week!

(TAMPA, Florida – September 13, 2006) Bay Area Commuter Services (BACS) announces the Tampa Bay Area 10^th Annual Commuter Choices Week (CCW), September 25-29, 2006. This week-long series of events helps to educate the general public, local government and the media about commute options and the benefits of reducing traffic congestion (and helping to reduce our need for fossil fuels).

CCW promotes carpooling, vanpooling, riding the bus, bicycling, walking, teleworking, and flexible work hour programs.  To publicize the diversity of commute options, a series of fun public events will be held in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties throughout the week. (Events Schedule next page)

BACS encourages motorists to fill out and submit a commitment card, promising to use a commute option other than driving alone to work at least one day during CCW. Hopefully, participants will continue their commute option once they discover the cost savings and reduced stress that comes with ridesharing. 

Employers and organizations are invited to get involved and support Commuter Choices Week by ordering FREE commitment cards and posters from BACS. Participants who return a completed commitment card by the deadline are eligible to win valuable prizes, while also learning how to commute for less.

BACS also would like to thank participating sponsors: 511 Tampa Bay, Randstad Work Solutions, The Towers at Westshore and Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2006.

For more information, contact Bay Area Commuter Services (BACS), “The Way to Go!” people at (800) 998-RIDE (7433) or visit our website at www.TampaBayRideShare.org.

Bay Area Commuter Services is the non-profit, regional commuter assistance program agency for West Central Florida covering Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties dedicated to reducing traffic congestion and air pollution by encouraging the use of various commute options (other than driving alone).  BACS was founded and is operationally funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

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Commuter Choices Week

September 25-29, 2006

Schedule of Events

Party on Poe Plaza

Monday, September 25, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Downtown Tampa

Poe Plaza between Tampa City Center and Hyatt Regency

Partner agencies: Tampa Downtown Partnership, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority,

Hillsborough County MPO, Bay Area Commuter Services

Way to Go Westshore Festival

Tuesday, September 26, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Westshore Business District

The Towers at Westshore parking lot (1408-10 Westshore Blvd N)

Partner agencies: Westshore Alliance, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority,

Hillsborough County MPO, Bay Area Commuter Services

Clearwater Commuter Celebration

Wednesday, September 27, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Downtown Clearwater

City Hall parking lot (Osceola Ave & Pierce St)

Partner agencies: Pinellas County MPO, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority,

Bay Area Commuter Services

Festival on First Central Tower Plaza

Friday, September 29, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Downtown St. Petersburg

First Central Tower at Central and 4^th Street (360 Central Ave)

Partner agencies: St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority,

Pinellas County MPO, Bay Area Commuter Services