(March 7, 2011) – Saving money is a hard thing to achieve in today’s economy.  Rising gas prices is not helping keep your wallet full of ones, fivers or a maybe a couple of extra twenties.  The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has a suggestion for keeping that jingle of coins in your pocket---develop a ridesharing partnership with a friend, neighbor or co-worker.  SHA can help you do it with more than 12,000 free parking spaces for commuters statewide.

“Ridesharing is a sensible solution for struggling families who are stretching every dollar to its maximum in these challenging economic times,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “The bigger picture is that SHA ridesharing participants save an annual estimated 5.2 million gallons of fuel and up to $280 per month - good for the environment and wallet.”

SHA has more than 100 park and ride locations throughout Maryland including several new or expanded rideshare lots.  SHA has a new 112-space lot at the I-70/MD 355 (Urbana Pike) interchange in Frederick; a 39-space lot at MD 30 (Hampstead Bypass) in Carroll County; and a 24-space lot at Weverton Road at MD 67 (Rohrersville Road) in Washington County.  To help accommodate commuters in the northeast, SHA added 30 spaces to the MD 222 (Bainbridge Road) at I-95 park and ride lot in Cecil County and is adding 150 spaces to serve 830 commuters at Riva Road and Harry Truman Parkway in Annapolis.

There are other positive benefits that developing a ridesharing partnership will create.

Money and Fuel Savings

Throughout the world, the price per barrel of oil is rising higher and that translates to a higher price at the pump.  By Memorial Day, financial analysts are predicting the cost of a gallon of gas to hover near the $4.00 per gallon mark.  Many insurance companies offer premium discounts for less miles traveled per day. 

The Environment

Developing ridesharing partnerships is cleaning the air--literally.  Maryland ride sharers are reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 51.4 tons per year.  Reducing vehicle emissions also helps the Chesapeake Bay by limiting nitrogen output, which enables the growth of oxygen consuming algae blooms.  With Maryland’s 3,100 miles of shoreline at stake, ridesharing is a small part that can help solve a large problem.  SHA park and ride facilities are key components to Maryland’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent below 2006 levels by 2020. 

Traffic Congestion Reduction

According to SHA’s 2010 ridesharing surveys, there are 102.7 million less vehicle miles traveled on Maryland roads and highways thanks to ridesharing.  Motorists who participate in ridesharing programs are eligible to travel in High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-270 in Montgomery County and US 50 in Prince George’s County.  HOV users save an average of 26 hours commute per year –that’s more time to treat yourself to a workout, bike ride or time with your family.

SHA is working with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to enhance park and ride lots with increased transit service.  To locate MTA parking lots near you, log onto www.mtamaryland.com and click “About MTA.”  There are guaranteed ride home programs in the Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan area for those who rideshare.  The free service provides emergency transportation up to four times per year for unforeseen instances such as working late, illness or family concerns.  To learn more, go to www.commuterconnections.org. 

MD 200 Intercounty Connector (ICC) Bus Service

The opening of the first segment of the ICC is offering two bus route services between park and ride locations in Montgomery County to BWI Marshall Airport, the MARC line and Fort Meade.  The BWI Marshall Airport bus routes are running 7-days-a-week between 4 a.m. and 11 p.m.  The Fort Meade service will run Monday through Friday during peak travels times.

All SHA park and ride lots offer free parking and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  SHA park and ride facilities permit overnight parking.  For more information on ridesharing, call toll-free 1-800-204-4828 or use web customer contact form at www.commuterchoicemd.com.

There are approximately 5,600 spaces available and a lot near you.  Participating in a ride share partnership supports Governor Martin O’Malley’s Smart, Green & Growing initiative.  The initiative was introduced in October 2008, to strengthen the state’s leadership role in fostering smarter, more sustainable growth and inspiring action among all Marylanders to achieve a more sustainable future. The initiative brings together state agencies, local governments, businesses and citizens to create more livable communities, improve transportation options, reduce the state’s carbon footprint, support resource based industry, invest in green technologies, preserve valuable resource lands and restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.