Community Developments

Commuters across the Roanoke region and beyond now have an easier, instant way to explore their transportation options. RIDE Solutions, the region’s commuter services program, has launched a new website and smartphone app that allows commuters to instantly search for carpool partners, transit routes, bike buddies, and more. The app allows users to explore other commuters on and along their routes and instantly connect with them via in-app messaging.

Users can also log their carpool, bike, bus, and telecommute trips to earn points which they can cash in for thousands of local and online rewards. So in addition to the money they are already saving on their commute, they can save even more at their favorite local shops and restaurants.

For employers, the upgraded system provides new opportunities to build a robust and successful worksite-specific commuter program. Through the RIDE Solutions Workplace program, employers can build vanpools, promote carpool matching, and develop facilities to encourage bicycle commuting, while building employer-specific rewards within the new app.  Rewards could include everything from premium parking spaces, to PTO hours, to discounts in the employee cafeteria or gift shop, all developed and managed with the help of RIDE Solutions staff.

The new platform also allows for easy analysis of program performance, so employers know exactly how many employees are participating, what transportation modes they are using, and the worksite’s impact on a range of measures – from parking spots reduced to greenhouse gases emitted – so employers know they are hitting their target transportation-related goals.

The new RIDE Solutions system is available at ridesolutions.org or from your favorite app store.