Document Type

Report

Publication Date

6-1987

Subjects

Ridesharing -- Oregon, Urban transportation -- Oregon, Transportation -- Planning -- Oregon

Physical Description

43 pages

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the major rideshare programs in the cities of Portland, Salem, and Eugene. A general description of the setting, a brief history, and the current program is provided for each city.

The cities of Portland, Salem, and Eugene all have existing rideshare programs that include a matching service for prospective participants and a discounted parking cost program for vehicles used for ridesharing. The two hospitals reviewed (Good Samaritan and The Oregon Health Sciences University), in addition to the matching service and parking discounts, also subsidize mass transit as an alternative . Good Samaritan and the Oregon Department of General Services both provide a free shuttle bus service from satellite parking lots . The Rogue Valley Transportation District has received funding to start a carpool program but has not yet achieved its goal of an up and running program (although they have erected signs and purchased a computer).

In general, the major Oregon urban programs have reduced marketing efforts over the last several years due to reduced interest on the part of the public and employers in ridesharing. Program sponsors have concentrated efforts on computerized matching services and permit parking programs that offer incentives to carpools and vanpools which are still popular in areas where parking shortages exist . The cause of public and employer apathy is not clear, but several possible factors were mentioned by the managers of these programs: the recent decline in gasoline prices, the ready availability of gasoline, and the desire for transportation flexibility by the public. The general consensus of the rideshare program managers was that unless there is another gasoline shortage or some other major change in circumstance rideshare programs would not grow much beyond present activity levels.

Description

Catalog Number PR024.

A product of the Center for Urban Studies, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University.

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/18099

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