MULTIEMPLOYER RIDESHARING BROKERAGE: FINDINGS FROM MINNEAPOLIS COMMUTER SERVICE DEMONSTRATION

This paper presents findings from the evaluation of the Minneapolis ridesharing commuter services demonstration, a prototype transportation brokerage program designed to arrange alternatives to driving alone for commuters. The program promoted and coordinated services for carpooling, vanpooling, and bus commuting at selected employment sites in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. A unique aspect of this demonstration showed that these sites represent a potentially important market for ridesharing; however, program success can be dependent on a variety of critical site characteristics. A number of new program features were also tested, including a variety of marketing strategies, a telephone brokerage technique to assist carpool applicants, and the use of a private, third-party contractor for vanpool services. Findings from this demonstration can serve as a reference for other interested agencies to aid in indicating the type and range of issues they may confront in establishing a ridesharing program.