Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission Enhances Carpool and Telecommute Platform

Residents on the Middle Peninsula can now earn rewards for carpooling, vanpooling and telecommuting, as well as build stronger connections with others also looking to ride share to work, thanks to the recent launch of the enhanced MidPenRideShare online platform.

“Nearly three-quarters of the Middle Peninsula’s workforce commutes to jobs outside the region each day and MidPenRideShare was originally created to help residents save time and money, and reduce pollution and congestion, by connecting drivers with carpool or vanpool opportunities,” said Beth Johnson, who administers the program for the MPPDC. “The launch of the new web site for MidPenRideShare now helps commuters earn points for tracking their greener trips, which can be redeemed for rewards, such as discounts at select retailers, restaurants, attractions and more.”

Officially the Middle Peninsula Rideshare Commuter Services, MidPenRideShare is provided by the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission’s Transportation Demand Management Program in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

MidPenRideShare, as the longest running grant funded program in operation by the MPPDC, exists to assist persons who are seeking transportation alternatives to commuting within and from the Middle Peninsula area.

“We encourage people to not drive alone by providing them some options,” Johnson said. “Many people don’t realize they have options to telework, carpool or rideshare from the Middle Peninsula to Richmond or Hampton Roads. Here on the Middle Peninsula we don’t have congestion or air quality concerns. But what we do have is this large group of people commuting out of the region.”

Up until the launch of the new platform, Middle Peninsula residents were added to a database that only had access to Middle Peninsula users.

“The new platform first and foremost connects Middle Peninsula drivers in real-time to a larger database that includes commuters in Richmond, Hampton Roads and beyond,” Johnson said.

After the no-cost registration on the site – midpenrideshare.org – members are encouraged to download the app and log each time they telecommute from home, use a bike share service, take mass transit or carpool or vanpool with others.

For more information about MidPenRideShare contact Beth Johnson at bjohnson@mppdc.com or (804) 758-2311.