Driving Change for a Better Commute with Georgia Commute Options

Posted on: Apr 26, 2018

*Program Offers Incentives for Commuters that Make the Switch from Driving Alone***

Ever wanted an easier, less stressful commute? How about a few extra bucks in your pocket?

Georgi a Co mmute Options provides both. Managed by the Atlanta Regional Commission and funded through the Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Commute Options is a regional program designed to help commuters make the switch from driving alone to a cleaner commute option such as carpools, vanpools, transit, walking, biking and teleworking and compressed work weeks.

And now, its “Drive Change” campaign is telling more metro Atlantans about the program than ever before.

Subscribe to ARC

Name*
First Name Last Name
Email*
Also, receive evites, surveys and occasional updates from ARC*
- Yes, count me in
- No, thank you
CAPTCHA

Subscribe to ARC

The new campaign is focused on the overarching goal of the Georgia Commute Options program: reducing congestion and smog emissions by encouraging and incentivizing commuters to consider other commute options besides driving alone; and giving employers and schools tools to help workers and students find clean, reliable commuting options.

“With an estimated 2.5 million people moving to the Atlanta metro area by 2040, it’s paramount to Atlanta’s quality of living that we offer a variety of commute options,” said Malika Reed Wilkins, Executive Director of Georgia Commute Options. “The Drive Change campaign will serve as a great sticking point to make commuters and employers aware of existing initiatives and incentives, and we’ll also be launching new programs, all with the goal of driving real and meaningful change into daily commuting.”

The Numbers

As part of the Drive Change launch, Georgia Commute Options is releasing new data from research conducted last month that highlights commuter attitudes and behaviors. Key findings include:

On average, commuters in the metro area travel 19 miles to work, taking approximately 40-50 minutes depending on which way they are traveling. Traveling home from work typically takes longer than traveling to work.
Commute time is very important to commuters when they are changing or starting jobs, with 75% of respondents agreeing that their commute time is an important factor in their decision to live where they do.

The Incentives (Sshhh: Includes Cash Rewards)

The research also showed that a majority of commuters are open to using commute alternatives in exchange for cash incentives. As part of the Drive Change program, Georgia Commute Options is promoting its existing cash incentives for commuters who opt to try a new option:

Gimme Five: Program participants can earn $5 a day — up to $150 — for trying a commute option other than driving alone.
$25 Enter to Win: Existing clean commuters are entered to win monthly $25 prizes for logging their commutes.
Monthly Gas Card: Carpoolers with three or more riders can earn monthly gas cards.
Vanpool $50 Referral: Individuals can receive $50 for referring a new vanpool rider after that new rider has completed three consecutive months on a vanpool.
Guaranteed Ride Home: Program participants can take advantage of a guaranteed ride home when unexpected events occur. Participants can receive up to five free rides, by taxi or rental car, to their home or car in case of emergency.