Website launched to help beat the pain at the pump

In an effort to combat the recent spike in gasoline prices, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is launching a new “Mi Commute” website providing ideas, tips and tools to beat the cost of commuting.

The site, www.michigan.gov/micommute, explores alternate modes of transportation, such as ride sharing, public transportation, bicycling, and more.

“Affordable, convenient, good for the environment and less stressful. Sound good? These are some of the benefits when you take the bus, train, bike, carpool or rideshare,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “The new Mi Commute website, along with a series of three entertaining videos, will help educate people about the benefits of leaving their solo commute and trying something new.”

“The YouTube video puts information in front of people who’ve never considered ridesharing and encourages them to use the website to learn more about their mobility options,” Steudle said.

According to the website, ridesharing reduces stress, saves money, decreases wear and tear on your vehicle, increases free time for riders, and is more flexible than people think. Local rideshare offices help commuters find vacancies in existing carpools or vanpools, or match people who are interested in forming a new group. MichiVan, the statewide vanpool service operated by VPSI, Inc. serves about 2,700 riders daily in approximately 360 vanpools.

Another rideshare effort is the Michigan carpool parking lot program. Today, there are more than 240 carpool lots, providing more than 9,700 vehicle parking spaces and a growing number of bicycle parking spots. The website includes locations and details for each, and includes the ability to search by county, route, name, or highway exit number.