This is the mission and number one goal of the program’s new strategic plan.
GWRideConnect, the transportation management program administered by the George Washington Regional Commission, has released its strategic plan for the next five years, and its top goal is to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicle trips.
This goal is also the program’s mission. Achieving it, according to the strategic plan, will “[improve] transportation system efficiency, [enhance] quality of life, and [benefit] the environment” both for the 380,000-some current residents of Planning District 16 and the 100,000 additional residents who are projected to move here in the next 20 years.
GWRideConnect is a ridesharing service that connects commuters in Fredericksburg City and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and King George to transportation solutions, such as carpools, vanpools, the bus system FXBGO, and Virginia Railway Express.
The other three goals identified in the strategic plan are to expand vanpooling; develop new lines of service, possibly through partnerships with major employers such as GEICO, Stafford and Spotsylvania public schools, and Mary Washington Hospital and Medicorp Health System; and enhance operations by securing more diversified funding, collecting more data, and engaging more with the community.
GWRideConnect conducted a survey and held a focus group to gather data to inform the strategic plan. Of those who responded to the survey, 44% said they drive to work alone, 21% said they ride VRE or Amtrak, and 18% said they are part of a vanpool. Twelve percent said they either carpool or slug (informally carpool).
The vast majority—82%—of those who drive alone said they prefer that method because it allows them to be flexible. Carpooling and vanpooling were the top alternative methods that those who drive alone said they would consider trying.
The top identified barriers to alternative commuting methods were the infrequency of other transportation options and an inability to find carpool or vanpool matches.
Sixty-four percent of those who use an alternative commuting method said they chose that method so they wouldn’t have to drive themselves.
Only 37% said they were satisfied with their current commuting method.
Kim Mitchell, GWRideConnect’s support and outreach coordinator, said the new strategic plan will “facilitate [the program’s] mission of seamlessly matching thousands of commuters to alternative transportation options such as carpool, vanpool, or transit via our free, customized match list.”
Commuters can always call GWRideConnect or fill out an online form to receive a tailored list of transportation options.
by Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT
