Countywide : Panel Urges Easing of Car-Pooling Rules

Paperwork should be significantly reduced for employers trying to comply with regulations to reduce the number of solo commuters on the road, a Ventura County advisory committee has decided.

The 15-member Air Pollution Control District’s advisory committee voted 11 to 1 to adopt that recommendation and several others aimed at easing compliance with the county’s stringent trip-reduction rules.

Committee members also agreed that employers can pool their efforts to reduce road trips with other businesses. That amendment is aimed at lowering the cost of complying with the county rules.

Committee member Phillip Reed voted against the revisions without comment. Three other committee members were absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

The regulations have been phased in over the past two years in an attempt to reduce air pollution in Ventura County. The committee’s recommendations will be forwarded to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for its review. The supervisors are expected to vote on final approval of the changes March 30.

Most of the amendments to the county’s complex rules governing car-pooling regulations were praised by area business leaders. About 25 people attended the committee’s meeting.

However, employers are still not happy about a county revision that moves up the deadline mandating them to increase the number of workers who walk, bicycle or ride-share to work.