Thank you for all your enthusiasm and support in getting our Rideshare Month - Commute for Cash Challenge underway. We've had incredible exposure in the news and already have 440 participants registered, saving 35,129 lbs. of emissions and saving $34,500.

Last month we also made over 30 visits to Employee Transportation Coordinators around the County dropping off goodie baskets and Commute for Cash Challenge materials. It was great seeing so many of you. For those we didn't visit, you're on our radar. We'll be in touch soon!

Sharing the Ride,

The Rideshare Team

Commute for Cash Challenge

We now have over 161 teams and 440 participants taking the Commute for Cash Challenge and we have had a great response to Transit Week (Oct. 5th-Oct. 9th), with hundreds of buttons being given out so that folks can ride any bus in the County free. Starting next week, we have the Vanpool Contest where all Ride-on, Enterprise & VSPI vanpools can complete a form with their daily round trip miles, annual miles saved and a short synopsis of a favorite vanpool story to win a variety of prizes. Click here for an entry form and prize information.

We had a terrific kick-off event at Farmers' Market last week, where individuals painted a SLO Transit Bus_painting

bus, kids added their handprints and drew pictures which are being made into car cards. The bus is still cruising around SLO so hopefully you will get a glimpse of this masterpiece! View pictures of the event here.

Our daily drawings are underway and we will be picking our first random team and individual cash winners today.

Workplace Bike Sharing Program!

We are still working on getting more bikes for this popular program. If you would like to be put on the waiting list or donate a bike email Kelsie at kgreer@rideshare.org or call her at 781-1385.

Pedal on!

Changes to R.T.A. Bus Passes & Fareboxes

R.T.A. introduced new fareboxes on October 1st, which will accept 31 day passes (valid for a rolling 31 days from first date of use) by inserting the magnetized card into the farebox card slot. Click here for a visual guide on how these new fareboxes operate. The current bus passes will be honored until October 31st, 2009 (no trick!) and old fare media may be exchanged for new fare media only during the month of November. The new passes will be available online at www.rideshare.org and at all the usual pass outlets.

Information is available at www.slorta.org or you can contact Cindy at 781-4362.

Proposed Bus Schedule Changes

R.T.A. is seeking public comment on their proposed schedule changes for Routes 9, 10 & 12A. They are holding a community meeting on Tuesday, October 13th, from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Ramona Gardens Park. For more information click here.

Trick or Treat Safety Tips

It's that time again when children enjoy dressing up and roaming the neighborhoods, trick-or-treating in search of some of their favorite candy. Halloween

Walking is the best way for kids to get around and to keep your little goblins safe, please check out these safety tips:

Children should always travel with parents or as a group

Make sure that they know to use the side walk, look both ways and use a cross walk when creeping and crawling across the street
Don't be a ghost in the night. Have your children carry a light, wear a gooey green glow stick or use a reflective candy bag from SLO City to ensure that your kids are easily seen.
Obey all local traffic signals
Cross only at corners, with adults
Do not cut across strangers' yards or driveways as children might trip on hoses and other obstacles
Stay away from animals that you don't know
Be polite and say "thank you"

AND MOST IMPORTANT!

Carry a spare Halloween bag, just in case yours breaks, you don't want to lose all those delicious treats!