Increase in Car-Pooling
The Times and reporter Mark Stein are to be commended for the article on the rise of car-pooling. While expanding our bus and rail transit systems is rightfully L.A.’s top transportation priority, the excitement (and controversy) generated can overshadow other real progress. As the study by Profs. Wachs and Genevieve Guiliano remind us, car-pooling is still the commuter’s most appealing alternative to solo driving because it’s cheap and easy.
It’s also a solution we increasingly depend on to keep traffic congestion down. In sharp contrast to national trends, the percentage of commuters car-pooling at least three days per week in the L.A. region increased from 11% in 1988 to 14% in 1990. On any given day, almost three times as many commuters car-pool as take transit. Car-pooling is also helping L.A. businesses: Studies show car-poolers miss fewer days of work and have higher morale than commuters who fight the drive alone.
These days, when something simple and economical--like car-pooling--is working, it is news. Thanks for noticing.
JIM SIMS, President, Commuter Transportation Services Inc., Los Angeles
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