THE WORK PLACE
Newport Center, in an effort to cut work-related commuter traffic in the business complex, is pushing ahead with plans to get area workers out of their cars and into car pools and buses.
More than 800 companies employing 12,000 workers are in Newport Center, which has the open-air Fashion Island shopping center at its hub. Last week, four of the complex’s major employers got together with the Orange County Transit District for the first meeting of the Newport Center Transportation Management Assn.
Ed Lehman, president of the association and vice president of Pacific Mutual, said the group wants to increase bus ridership in the area by 50 workers, place 400 workers in car pools and 100 more in van pools in its first year.
In addition to Pacific Mutual, the business members of the transportation management association are the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel, the Irvine Co. and Donohue Schriber. A group of businesses called the Newport Center Assn. also attended the meeting.
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