In conjunction with the San Diego Association of Governments’ (SANDAG) RideLink, semiconductor packaging house StratEdge has sponsored a vanpool transportation program for its employees. This vanpool program enables employees to ride to and from work for $5 a week. According to StratEdge, some 50% of its employees are participating in the rideshare public transportation program. It is a part of the company mission to implement as many green initiatives as possible as well as reduce costs for employees.

”SANDAG congratulates StratEdge for implementing an innovative program that helps reduce traffic congestion during rush hours,” said Jack Boda, SANDAG director of mobility programs. ”By strongly encouraging the use of vanpools and public transit, StratEdge is helping to save money for its employees – but it is also taking cars off the road and reducing air pollution.”

”The number of people using the vanpool program has increased since we implemented it several months ago,” said Josie Santos, director of finance and administration of StratEdge. ”We recently moved to a new facility, which is a little farther from where most of our employees live. The vanpool program is partly responsible for our ability to retain our employees.”

”Ridesharing helps reduce traffic congestion, reduces pollution, and saves fuel, as well as reduces costs,” explained StratEdge president and CEO Tim Going. ”We are pleased that our employees have adopted this program and are working towards preserving the environment.”

Through the SANDAG program, StratEdge leases passenger vans. A StratEdge employee volunteers to drive and take care of a van and there is a back-up driver for each van. Employees meet at a local Park-N-Ride location. StratEdge pays for the gas used for the commute. The driver has use of the van for off-hour use.

In addition to the rideshare program, StratEdge subsidizes employees who take public transportation. Employees pay $10 every two weeks for a ticket to ride the Coaster, which is the rail system in San Diego. Depending where you live, a monthly ticket can normally cost $126 or more, so this is a considerable cost savings, said StratEdge.

There are 596 SANDAG vanpools in the region which carry 4,840 passengers to and from work each weekday. These vanpools take over 10,000 cars off San Diego roadways during the most congested times.

www.stratedge.com