Eastgate updates car-pool Web site

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The program links potential commuters in 13 Northeast Ohio counties.

By DENISE DICK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — An Eastgate Regional Council of Governments program that helps people hook up with prospective car-pool partners in 13 northeast Ohio counties has been updated.

The program, Ohio Rideshare, has been available for the last few years, but the update allows riders to find their own matches using the Internet.

"It [is available] ... seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," said Kathy Zook, Eastgate's OhioRideShare coordinator.

Because all of the data is exchanged using e-mail addresses, personal information remains confidential.

A prospective car-pooler enters the system at www.OhioRideshare.com and inputs information including starting and ending addresses, when they start and finish work and the preferences for potential commuter partners.

"If a woman wants to be matched with only female commuters, the program will do that," Zook said.

Users don't have to use their home address as a starting point, she said. They can use any address, such as a store or other business.

Coordinated effort

Eastgate is working with the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study and the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency in offering the service.

"The program is free and open to the public," Zook said.

The database of registered participants from Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties totals 434 people.

Once data is entered, the program offers a list of potential matches. The prospective commuter may contact them through e-mail to determine if a shared transportation arrangement is amenable to both.

"People can view potential matches immediately," Zook said. "They don't have to wait five or six days to get a match."

Previously, people had to contact the agency with their information and wait to be matched, which they can still do by dialing (330) 779-3800.

The program also enables people to view an estimate of the amount of money they're saving by sharing gasoline expenses, Zook said.

Saturday, February 3, 2007