Community leaders kick off Ride to Work Day Oct. 12

(9/12/2006) Area residents are invited to try public transit for their commute on October 12 by riding the bus to work.

The City of New Haven has teamed up with CTTransit, Rideworks and downtown businesses to designate October 12 Ride the Bus to Work Day. People who log onto www.rideworks.com or call 1 800 ALL RIDE and take a survey will receive bus tickets in the mail and can take a free round trip to work on any CTTransit New Haven area local bus or the DATTCO S-route on Thursday, October 12, 2006. This offer is only available for new bus riders.

On Tuesday, officials including Alderman Edward Mattison, CTTransit General Manager David Lee, Economic Development Administrator Kelly Murphy, and downtown business leaders took a symbolic ride aboard a CTTransit bus to drive home the idea that taking the city bus helps more than just the pocketbook of consumers.

Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. said taking the bus saves money for consumers. Commuting round-trip on a CTTransit bus costs $540 per year, compared with average costs running between $6,000 and $11,400 per year for car commuting. “Increased bus use also decreases congestion on our streets and makes for a more walkable community.”

"IKEA New Haven is eager to support the Ride the Bus to Work Day, said Dana Griffin, community & public relations manager for IKEA. “A number of our co-workers already use the bus as their means of transportation to and from work. Broader acceptance of mass transit by a larger segment of the working population would not only reduce traffic congestion, but would also work to minimize the CO2 in our atmosphere."

“On October 12, 2006, ride my bus to work and see for yourselves what it’s all about,” exclaimed New Haven resident and 28-year veteran CTTransit driver Claudette Mayes.

For more information, go to www.rideworks.com, email info@rideworks.com, or call 1-800-ALL RIDE.

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