Alliance Offers Free Gas Cards for Bay Area Carpool Commuters; Standard Car Commuters Net $60; Hybrid and Clean Air Vehicle Owners Can Receive $80

SAN BRUNO, Calif.--June 20, 2006--The Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance has announced a carpool incentive program to help relieve some of the pain caused by high gas prices. Beginning July 1, commuters who pledge to carpool to work a minimum of two days per week over an eight week period can receive a $60 gas card for standard cars, and an $80 gas card for hybrids ($80 gift cards for clean air vehicles). Each person in the carpool is eligible to receive a gas card. Details and applications are available via the Alliance's web site at www.commute.org.

"The Alliance is dedicated to helping commuters reduce the time spent in traffic and the money spent on their commutes," said Christine Maley-Grubl, executive director of the Alliance. "This program is designed to make drivers coming to or through San Mateo County more aware of the benefits of riding with at least one other person. Not only are there personal benefits, but these programs also help our cities reduce congestion and pollution. It's a beneficial program for everyone involved."

The Alliance makes it easy to get the free card. Commuters must simply form a new carpool with at least one or more other people over the age of 18 or add a new member to an existing carpool. The carpool coordinator goes to www.commute.org and registers once for the entire group. Hybrid or Clean Air Vehicle carpoolers must also mail or fax in a copy of their DMV-issued letter providing proof of the decal. Once the program application is accepted, the carpool members will receive an email that includes a link they must follow to fill out the registration for the program. They will receive their gas card in approximately two to three weeks after they have completed their commitment to carpool for 8 weeks.

The carpool gas card program is a one-time program, designed to get people to try carpooling.

About The Alliance

The Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance is dedicated to addressing the challenges involved in commuting within or through San Mateo County. The agency's goal is to help people find ways to travel by alternatives rather than the single-occupant car which are faster, cheaper, and/or easier through commuter information, employer programs, and city transportation demand management partnerships.

The Alliance is a county-wide transportation demand management agency working with the cities and the County of San Mateo, whose primary mission is to reduce the number of single-occupant vehicles traveling to, through and in San Mateo County, while reducing vehicle emissions to improve air quality. The Alliance is funded by the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.

The Alliance is located on the web at www.commute.org and at 650-588-8170.