SANDAG celebrated a successful Rideshare Week this October 7-11 which promoted alternatives to driving alone to work or school.

Participants in the Rideshare Week festivities included some of the region's top executives and our most creative kids. The weeklong celebration included events to promote ridesharing, teleworking, using public transit, bicycling and walking to help ease traffic congestion in the region.

With SANDAG's help, local employers including Kyocera, SAIC, Qualcomm, and Anacomp/Delta Design promoted alternative commuting methods to their employees through lunch-time activities.

As a culmination to Rideshare Week, SANDAG honored several individuals and companies at the Diamond Awards Luncheon. The coveted Diamond Awards were presented by San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy to the region's leaders in reducing traffic congestion.

Thirteen local Boys and Girls Club youths also were recognized at the luncheon for their creative visions for ridesharing. The students submitted drawings which were chosen for a 2003 wall calendar that promotes ridesharing "kid style."

Rideshare Week would not have been possible without the generous support of sponsors: Cloud 9 Shuttle, Cox Communications, Westfield Shoppingtowns, Sign on San Diego, Clear Channel Communications, and Caltrans.

Providing transportation choices and reducing travel during rush hours are important parts of SANDAG's Mobility 2030 Regional Transportation Plan. Through the agency's Ridelink commuter program, SANDAG promotes commuter alternatives year round to commuters and employers. For more information on commuter alternatives please visit www.KeepSanDiegoMoving.com or call 1-800-COMMUTE.

Project Manager: Ray Traynor, (619) 595-5645, or rtr@sandag.org