RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA : Large Firm to Join Ride-Share Effort

A group formed to implement ride-sharing in Rancho Santa Margarita will enlist the area’s largest employer in the program.

Plans are expected to be finalized on Monday for Hughes Aircraft to join the Rancho Santa Margarita Transportation Management Assn., officials said.

Hughes employs about 1,000 people in its microelectronics division in Rancho Santa Margarita. The association will help the firm arrange to purchase five vans for use in an employee van-pool program.

“It’s a real great step for us,” said Kelly Vasquez, the association’s executive director. “Since Hughes is the largest employer out here, it means the TMA can offer its services to a large group of people.”

The private, nonprofit association was organized in response to a California Clean Air Act mandate for all companies of 500 or more employees to organize ride-sharing programs. The goal of the legislation is to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.

The group coordinates car- and van-pooling efforts with a computer software program that matches commuters who live in the same area.

The organization is also implementing a residential ride-share program. A citywide flyer was mailed to all households recently asking interested commuters to register their workplace location with the association, Vasquez said. The group will be notifying those who share the same work destinations.