Southern California Commuters Urged to Crash Through the High Price of Gas and Conserve Fuel

LOS ANGELES--Sept. 28, 2005--In response to President Bush's call for Americans to conserve fuel because of the recent hurricanes, Southern California traffic reporters gathered at The Grove today to help launch the latest public service campaign promoting Rideshare Week, which begins Oct. 3, 2005, in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

The event was a visual demonstration designed to convey the benefits of ridesharing. At 11 a.m., traffic reporters Alan K. Ross of Clear Channel, and Scott Greene, Gail Bolin, and Natalie Paige of Metro Traffic rode in a plush commuter van provided by Enterprise, and piloted by a stunt driver, through a wall of 125 gas cans as a metaphor for the money that commuters would be able to put back into their pockets instead of the gas tank. A single person ridesharing one day each week for a year would save as much as 125 gallons of gas and $367 at today's gas prices.

The event is part of the ongoing "Pick A Day, Any Day" consumer communication program and includes a consumer sweepstakes.

As part of the sweepstakes, traffic reporters are encouraging radio listeners to go to the Rideshare Web site at www.commutesmart.info to "Pick A Day, Any Day" to rideshare. Ridesharing can include virtually any alternative means of transportation other than driving solo. Once listeners choose a day for ridesharing on www.commutesmart.info, they can then cast a vote for their favorite traffic reporter. The person whose entry is selected will win lunch at their workplace for up to 20 people, courtesy of El Pollo Loco, delivered by the winner's favorite traffic reporter.

"Pick A Day, Any Day" is a public awareness program sponsored by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC), which encourages commuters to pick a day each week to rideshare.

About the MSRC:

The Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) was formed in 1990 when Assembly Bill AB 2766 was signed into law authorizing a $4 motor vehicle registration fee in the four-county South Coast Air Basin. Thirty percent of the $4 fee or approximately $12 million annually is used for programs administered by the MSRC. All of the programs eligible for funding must reduce air pollution from mobile sources.

Van Passengers

Alan K. Ross, Clear Channel
Scott Greene, Metro Traffic
Gail Bolin, Metro Traffic
Natalie Paige, Metro Traffic
Stacy Wait and Kyle Borg, LA Ideas

Emcee Presenting

David Sutton, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)