Car-Sharing Facility Launches MTC-Funded Pilot in Redwood City

Officials kicked off an innovative car-sharing, telecommuting and vanpool program at a ceremony in Redwood City today. Funded by a $1.5 million Climate Initiatives grant from MTC, the “Making the Last Mile Connection” program is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions by offering travelers an array of transportation alternatives.

The first piece of the two-year, comprehensive pilot project is a car-sharing program, which was unveiled on May 2. Zipcar, a national car-sharing agency, will station three hybrid cars at Sequoia Station, a downtown transit hub served by Caltrain and SamTrans. The cars are a convenient option for workers who want to run errands during the work day as well as for people who do not own a car.

People can use the cars by signing up to for Zipcar membership on the company’s website:www.zipcar.com. Members can reserve cars by the hour or by the day at rates which include gas and insurance. Six additional cars will be parked at two other Redwood City locations in the future.

In remarks at the “Making the Last Mile Connection” ceremony, San Mateo County Supervisor and MTC Chair Adrienne Tissier said: “MTC’s Climate Initiatives Program was created to fund innovative strategies, like the one we are celebrating today, that will assist us in reaching our greenhouse gas emission-reduction goals. I am pleased to be here to help launch the initial phase of this exciting new project.”

The “Making the Last Mile Connection” program also includes an effort to expand the number of San Mateo County employees who participate in the county’s work-from-home program. Of the 5,500 people employed by the county, only 196 "telecommute," or work from home. With support from the grant, the county will step up its training efforts for supervisors, allowing more people to work remotely, which will help reduce traffic congestion.

In addition to car-sharing and telecommuting, vanpools that take commuters from the transit center to office spaces in Redwood City or will pick up residents at their homes or at communal meeting spots are included in the project. Employers will pay for 25 percent of the vanpool service with the grant covering the remaining costs.

Grant funds also will be used for a marketing campaign to get the word out about the new program. The pilot project will last for two years, after which time it will be evaluated to determine its effectiveness. Depending on the results, the practice could be replicated in other communities around the Bay Area.

Partners in the implementation of “Making the Last Mile Connection” include the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance, San Mateo County, and the City of Redwood City. Additional funding totaling more than $350,000 is being provided by SamTrans, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, and the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County.