Local News in Brief : Countywide : Officials Hope to Get Everyone Into the Pool

Transportation officials are hoping that county commuters will do without their personal automobiles Thursday in recognition of Pool Party Day, a statewide attempt to cut congestion on the roads through ride sharing, public transit, walking or bicycling to work, or even working at home.

Patterned after the Great American Smoke Out, in which smokers are asked one day a year to put down their cigarettes, Pool Party Day is being coordinated statewide by Gary Edson, manager of an Orange County Transit District computerized program that matches up prospective ride sharers.

Although ride sharing has increased among employees of some large county companies, surveys show that countywide, few people car-pool or van-pool to work. However, ride sharing is a major element in the county’s efforts to reduce congestion and air pollution.