A pilot program is launching today to help match up drivers and riders who are crossing the Highway 520 bridge that connects Seattle and Bellevue. The project, called go520, is being funded by Washington state in an effort to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles crossing the bridge. The program is recruiting 250 drivers and 750 riders.
An Irish company called AveGo, which works on transportation software and technology, developed the pilot. To get commuters on board, they’ll give drivers who use the program 20 or more times each month a $30 gas card, and riders will receive up to $30 per month in “AveGo credits to use towards travel beyond the program covered by the go520 initiative,” according to a post on TechCrunch (I’m afraid I don’t really know what that entails). Drivers participating in the program need have an iPhone, while riders just need a phone that can text.
The timing is right. Come April, 520 bridge drivers will have to pay a toll of up to $3.50 per trip to help cover the cost of a new six-lane span across Lake Washington.
It’s a cool idea. I’ve often thought as I’ve driven past folks waiting for buses on particularly soggy days that I wouldn’t mind given them a lift if I knew where they were going (of course since they’re waiting for the bus, this would provide no enviro benefit, but you know what I mean).
And the Seattle-Bellevue area is not alone in this computerized carpooling experiment. Last week the New York Times reported on similar ventures in DC, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. Let’s hope it takes hold in the Northwest and expands beyond the 520. Any ideas on other commuter routes that would be good candidates?
Update: Also check out these more detailed stories on the program in last week’s Sustainable Industries, and in Friday’s Seattle Times.
520 bridge traffic photo from Flickr user Oran Viriyincy used under the Creative Commons license.
Joseph
This could be a significant step forward in economic efficiency and individual empowerment. Imagine if everyone with a car started sharing rides!
richard pauli
No, it is promoting the business model for Avego. This is just dynamic resource allocation and certainly transportation should be all over this.But why isn’t there some other incentive for full cars? Or a toll subsidy? That would be just as easy. Or gas tax rebate for the mileage that someone has a full car?We really have to get away from the notion of spending money as the way to solve all problems. Wait, I sound like a conservative.Just use computation to minimize effort.
skye
This is fantastic. I’ve thought about the bus-lift idea too (from both sides). But I think it’s probably like kids walking to school, or hitch-hiking – used to be cool in the ’50s, but nowadays can you trust that person you give a ride to not be a killer? Multiple people per carpool is probably a good idea. I’m just thinking about liability for the state if something terrible does happen.Note: I am all for this, but figuring out liability & how to make it safe is crucial.
skye
By “I’m just thinking about liability for the state” I mean, I’m mainly thinking about peoples’ safety. But, from a programmatic side, no states will do this if liability could strike.
mike eliason
in suburban DC, there are tons of places where drivers can go and pick up riders to take the HOV lanes. it’s called slugging. does the seattle metro really not have anything like this? are people out here really that paranoid/scared?!?
Lisa Stiffler
We don’t have anything like this, unless you count the very occasional college student with a cardboard sign at the freeway entrance looking for a ride to Eugene or wherever. I can’t explain the aversion. Are we unusually scared? Also keep in mind that WA DC reported 4,057 incidents of violent crime last year, compared to 1,681 in Seattle (we’re both about 600K strong).