Car-Pool Group Reaches Out to Antelope Valley

A first-of-its-kind campaign is being mounted to increase ride-sharing by commuters from the housing-rich but job-poor Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys.

Commuter Computer, a nonprofit agency that is Los Angeles County’s major ride-sharing proponent, said Thursday that it will open a branch office in the area, post signs along the Antelope Valley Freeway and urge residents and local employers to cooperate. The campaign will include a new telephone number for Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley residents to obtain ride-sharing information, (805) 255-RIDE.

“We felt that the north Los Angeles County area is unique in the county. You’ve got a very large residential population, many of whom have very long commutes to work,” said Carol Redfern, regional manager for the private agency that is supported by state and county funds.

The purpose of the localized campaign is to encourage residents to use van-pools, car-pools and express bus service.

For the first time, a Commuter Computer executive, Al Rangel, has been assigned to work exclusively in the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys, Redfern said. Rangel will work out of city offices in Palmdale, which will become Commuter Computer’s first satellite operation in the county.

This is the first time in Los Angeles County that Commuter Computer has mounted such an effort with the financial backing of local cities, Redfern said.

The Palmdale City Council agreed Thursday night to provide office space and to contribute $15,650 toward the program. Santa Clarita officials last month agreed to provide the same amount, Redfern said. Similar funding requests will soon be considered by Lancaster and county officials.

Redfern said Commuter Computer chose to focus on the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys because of their large commuter populations. Both have far more residents than job opportunities, forcing an estimated 44% of their work force to commute elsewhere.

Commuter Computer laid the groundwork for its Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley campaign in May with a monthlong ride-sharing promotion that included newspaper and radio ads, 10 billboards, and ride-sharing brochures mailed to 25,000 area residents with follow-up phone calls made to about 11,000 residents.