MANATEE -- The Florida Department of Transportation has wanted Manatee County to jump on its commuter services bandwagon for several years and it looks like it finally has succeeded.
The county is hosting “Commuter Services Day,” which is part of the state-wide “Taking it to the Streets,” commuter awareness program, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday on the Manatee County Courthouse lawn at 1115 Manatee Ave. W.
It took finding three local movers and shakers committed to the cause to bring Manatee to officially endorse commuting, state officials said.
“Brenda Rogers with the county along with Bradenton Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey and County Commissioner Donna Hayes really believed in this and helped immeasurably,” said Christine Diaz, a commuter services program director consultant with the FDOT.
Most of the 12 counties that comprise the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 1, including Sarasota, are not involved in the program, officials said.
“Taking It to the Streets” is more than just a public relations campaign encouraging commuters to leave their cars home and take buses, vans, bikes or use their legs, said Rogers, who is the county’s community services director.
The program invites residents to sign up to be matched with another resident for commuting.
The ride matching service includes emergency rides home, Rogers said.
“When we did surveys asking people what would be their biggest barrier to carpooling, they said being stranded at work when a loved one is sick and needs attention,” Rogers said.
The state has addressed that issue by offering emergency rides home or a gasoline voucher to someone with a car.
By registering on the web-site, www.CommuterServicesFl.com, Manatee residents can be matched with fellow residents who have similar ride requirements.
The site pairs people who wish to carpool, vanpool, or form a biking or walking group.
“They base it on home proximity, destination address and schedule,” Rogers said.
To keep things safe, the state never gives out personal information, arranges meetings between potential commuters before they begin commuting and sets things up so cars are left in public places, like a supermarket parking lot, Rogers said.
“If people can leave their cars somewhere and carpool, or take the bus or even ride a bike or walk it has major implications,” Rogers said. “It improves air quality in Manatee because fewer vehicles are on the road. It improves traffic congestion. It has health benefits for those riding or walking and, finally, it has financial implications both private and public. We wouldn’t have to expand our infrastructure and people could save on $4 a gallon gasoline.”
Wednesday’s initial push into the world of local commuting is aimed at downtown Bradenton business employees, school board workers, constitutional officers and county and judicial center workers, Rogers said.
Wednesday’s bash will include a free lunch and giveaways while supplies last, Rogers said.
On that day, downtown workers can show their IDs to MCAT bus drivers and get free transportation from Palmetto, from the DeSoto Square Mall and from downtown.
“Riding the bus to the kick-off makes you eligible for a restaurant gift card and drawings,” Rogers said. “The drivers will give out the entry forms.”
Barnebey and Hayes have issued a challenge to all government offices to encourage their employees to register with Commuter Services by Wednesday.
“The office with the most registered commuters and the office with the highest percentage registered will each win a trophy of achievement and bragging rights,” Rogers said.
The state’s website also has “Trip Track” where people log in their commutes and can find out how many pounds of pollutants they have averted by computing along with miles reduced.
For information: call Rogers at (941) 749-3030, call the state at 1-866-585-7433 or visit www.CommuterServicesFL.com to register.
Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 6686.
