FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2003

Media Contacts:

Sandi Moody, executive director, Bay Area Commuter Services

800-998-RIDE (7433) or 813-282-8200

Vicki Parsons, APR, 813-689-2616

Tampa Bay Celebrates Commuter Choices Week

Now more than ever, Tampa Bay has a reason to celebrate Commuter Choices Week. For residents of the region that spends the greatest percentage of its income on transportation, Commuter Choices Week offers workers a chance to learn how to cut those costs by hundred of dollars a year.

Scheduled for October 6 to 11, Commuter Choices Week highlights the diversity of choices beyond driving alone to work. Sandi Moody, executive director of Bay Area Commuter Services remarked, “It’s convenient to drive to work alone, but we’d like people to stop and realize that the so-called “convenience” of driving alone actually comes at a very high price both economically and environmentally.”

A report issued in July by the Washington-based Surface Transportation Policy Project indicates Tampa Bay households spend an average of $9,292 annually on transportation – a whopping 24.6 percent of total household expenditures and the highest percentage of any city in the country.

Most of those costs are tied directly to owning, operating and maintaining a vehicle used to get to work, the report notes. Ridesharing (car/vanpooling and taking the bus) and other commute options – such as walking, biking and telecommuting – can cut those costs significantly. Additionally, ridesharing and other commute options minimize air and water pollution, and help reduce congestion on the region’s highways.

During Commuter Choices Week, workers who register in advance and then use a commute option (other than driving alone) at least one day during the week are eligible to win an exciting grand prize and many other awards. “If we can get people to break their routine and try something new at least one day during Commuter Choices Week, we hope they’ll see the advantages and leave their cars at home more often.”

A series of events around the region are planned for Commuter Choices Week:

Ø Monday, bicyclists converge on Franklin Street Mall in downtown Tampa for a kick-off event with music and prizes.

Ø Tuesday, transit will be featured with activities at the University of South Florida.

Ø On Wednesday, walking will be highlighted at special events scheduled for downtown St. Petersburg and Clearwater’s Station Square Park.

Ø Thursday celebrates van and carpool opportunities with special programs at Westshore Plaza.

Ø On Friday, the focus is on flextime and telecommuting (no event scheduled).

Registration cards for Commuter Choices Week will be available through participating area employers, by calling 800-998-RIDE or online at www.tampabayrideshare.org

“This is our seventh annual Commuter Choices Week event, and seven’s a lucky number for people who are spending thousands of dollars per year to get to work,” Moody says. “There are choices that make good sense for your budget, the environment and your stress levels.”

Commuter Choices Week is sponsored by Bay Area Commuter Services (a not-for-profit commuter assistance agency funded by the Florida Department of Transportation to help relieve traffic congestion and improve air quality in the Tampa Bay region), along with the Transportation Management Organization Coordinating Group (a public-private partnership including BACS, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Transportation Management Organization, New North Transportation Alliance, Tampa Downtown Partnership Transportation Management Organization, Westshore Alliance Transportation Management Organization, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority, Florida Department of Transportation, Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Bay Area Vanpool).

For more information on commute options, including assistance finding car and vanpools, call 1-800-998-RIDE or visit www.tampabayrideshare.org.