The RideShare team is excited to announce our new interactive database and commute tracking database! This new platform allows you direct access to finding ridematch partners, logging and tracking your clean commute, updating your profile in real time, transit information, and much more.

This new ridematching system will provide emission tracking software to calculate and report carbon dioxide emission from carpoolers, transit riders, vanpoolers, bicyclists and people who walk to work. This information will help our commuters see how their clean commute reduces cost of their trip to the office, and also quantify how they are positively impacting the region’s air quality by sharing the ride. Log on to ridesharedelaware.org today and click the “Register My Commute” tab to get started. Happy clean commuting!

Drivers with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a cell phone will now face stiff fines in Delaware.
As of January 2, the state now requires motorists to use a hands-free device when talking on a cell phone. New York, New Jersey, and D.C. all have similar laws on their books.

Those not using hands-free technology like an ear bud or a blue tooth device will face a $50 fine on the first offense. Repeat offenders can pay up to $200. However, the fines are not moving violations and will not incur points on drivers’ licenses.

The new law also bans the use of pagers, PDA’s, laptops, or any other electronic device while operating a vehicle. The Delaware State Police said 214 crashes in 2010 were the result of drivers distracted by cell phones.

Drivers are allowed to pick up their phones to dial or answer an incoming call, but then put the phone down during the conversation. Drivers are also allowed to use the phone while driving if they are reporting a fire, road hazard, traffic crash, or reckless driving. Government employees operating two-way radios are exempt.

National research shows that drivers using a cell phone are four times more likely than other drivers to get into a crash causing serious injury. Delaware’s prohibition was signed into law July 6, 2010, but did not take effect until 2011.

(Source: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/PHI-Delaware-Hands-Free-Cell-Phone-Law-In-Effect-112770199.html)

The RideShare Delaware staff would like to wish everyone a safe and healthy 2011.  In the new year, we are looking forward to updating our commuter database giving all users direct access to their commuter profile making it easier than ever to record your clean commute!

Also, DART is operating with the following modifications:

12/31 Dover First Night Detour Notice –

On Friday, December 31, 2010, beginning at 2 PM, Downtown Dover will be closing streets in preparation of First Night Festivities. DART Bus Routes 101 and 107 will be on detour. DART bus service will be operating on a Saturday schedule, due to the New Year’s Holiday.

DART New Year’s Service Notice –

On Friday, December 31st, DART services, both fixed route and paratransit, will operate on a Saturday schedule. The SEPTA train service will operate its Saturday schedule. On New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1^st, DART services, both fixed route and paratransit, will not operate. The SEPTA train service will not operate within Delaware, but will operate on a special Holiday schedule from Marcus Hook on New Year’s Day.

12/31 Dover Transit Center Detour Notice -

Due to construction at the Dover Transit Center, on Friday, December 31, 2010, DART Bus Routes 109 and 112 will not be able to access their regular bus stops. During this time Route 109 riders are to board at the RT 100 bus stop and Route 112 riders are to board at the RT 105 bus stop.

Nationwide Transit Riders Rejoice as Congress Pass Extension of Transit Benefit Cap

One-Year Cap Extension Helps Riders Cope with Rising Commuting Costs

Edenred, the provider of the premier commuter benefits programs, Commuter Check and WiredCommute, applauds Congress’ swift action to keep the pre-tax transit benefit cap at $230 per month.

In February of 2009, the transit benefit pre-tax “cap” was increased as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from $120 per month to $230 per month matching the amount allowed for parking expenses. This increase was lead by Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts (D) and Senator Charles Schumer of New York. The parity established was set to expire at the end of 2010, but was extended for one-year today as part of the extension of the “Bush Tax Cuts”.

By offering commuter benefits, employers, can save up to 10% on average in payroll tax savings, a savings they can invest back in their company. Through a company-sponsored plan, commuter benefits allow employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for commuting costs, a savings of 40% on average.

Congressman McGovern, who has worked for years to promote commuter benefits, believes that, “there are a number of obvious benefits to transit ridership including a reduction in energy consumption, improved air quality, and reduced congestion. But the one issue that I think is most important to employees and employers is the fact that both employers and employees can save hundreds of dollars a year by simply doing the right thing. It’s a no brainer.”

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) said, “The extension of this benefit will incentivize more employees to use public transit as their primary method for traveling to work. This will help reduce our national dependence on oil and make our communities more livable and sustainable.”

This is a major victory for mass transit riders and will ensure that come January 1, 2011, commuters won’t be facing even more commuting costs than they currently do, with increased fares and reduced services we need to maintain incentives for the middle class so they don’t have to break the bank when commuting to and from work.

Groups like Commuter Nation help the voice of the American commuter be heard by our elected officials. They collected nearly 10,000 signatures and comments, which were presented to Congress on December 1 ^st . The message from the petition was clear, as Congress searches for ways to stimulate job growth; it should also recognize that transportation is the second largest household expense. Promoting transportation alternatives such as transit and vanpools is one-way Congress can help ‘Main Street’.

As Gerard Bridi, President & CEO of Edenred, said, “The extension of the transit cap at $230 is a win for the working Americans. It also makes a statement about our commitment as a nation to reduce our collective carbon footprint and reduce our country’s dependence on fossil fuels. There was a tremendous effort undertaken to insure that parity was extended. There are far too many people to recognize including the nineteen Senators and fifty plus Members of the House who sent a letter to Congressional leadership in support of this provision. However, this would not have been completed if it were not for the efforts of the legislative champions, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), his policy advisor Jeff Hamond, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and his staff Jennifer Walters. They worked around the clock coordinating the efforts of all the interested parties to make sure that this provision was extended so that Americans who choose to take transit or a vanpool did not see the cost of their commute unfairly increase. We will continue to work with our Congressional leaders to see this provision made permanent.”