Benefits of Ride-Sharing

Warner Center’s innovative ride-sharing incentive package is great news for Warner Center employees and local residents alike. It should significantly reduce the number of cars in and around Warner Center. I’m glad The Times featured this new program so prominently (June 16).

The ride-sharing program and incentives are part of a comprehensive plan to relieve traffic congestion in Warner Center. I created the city’s Warner Center Trust Fund to finance this plan, using $5.5 million assessed of local developer Robert Voit. My office is developing the traffic improvement plan with the city Department of Transportation and Warner Center businesses.

The city already requires future developers to be responsible for easing traffic. The trust fund is a first because it also targets developers of existing projects.

We’re making ride-sharing as easy, stress-free and financially attractive as possible. The incentive package includes fare subsidies for the first three months, and a free month’s fare after 11 months participation in a van pool or bus pool. The “Guaranteed Ride Home” service provides a free ride home for ride-sharing employees who have unexpected work or family emergencies during the workday. With the hot weather and smog upon us, now’s the time to jump into the pool: the car, bus or van pool!

JOY PICUS

Los Angeles

Picus is city councilwoman for the 3rd District.