In major cities such as New York, Chicago and San Francisco public transportation is an accepted way of life. But locally, according to new figures released by the United States Census Bureau, in Brevard County, over 82 percent of our 230,000+ commuters drive to work alone.
Not only does this crowd our roadways, waste gas and wear down our automobiles, but since cars are one of the major causes of green house gases and a leading contributor to poor air quality; finding alternative ways to commute has become important to Brevard County residents.
Jim Liesenfelt, Transit Director of Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT), an organization dedicated to helping people find alternate forms of transportation, is well aware of the impact this has on our local environment.
"I did the math," Liensenfelt explained, "If I carpool only half of my workdays, I reduce my CO2 emissions by 1.5 tons in a year."
On a broader scale, figures from the American Public Transportation Association state that public transportation saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Through their Commuter Assistance Program, SCAT helps people find solutions that protect our environment while taking much of the stress out of their daily commutes.
Carpools
For many, the choice is as simple as finding a few co-workers and starting a carpool. Carpools are usually flexible with their rules and guidelines and may consist of as little as two to five riders. Sometimes, commuters take turns being the designated driver, with an alternating schedule and no exchange of money. Another method is having one primary driver with the other riders sharing the costs. This has turned out to be a great choice for Liesenfelt.
"I can't even remember whose idea it was to start the carpool," Liesenfelt said, "but we've been doing it for a few years. We started it when gas prices started creeping up. We all live close to each other so we meet at a public parking lot in West Melbourne and then ride together. The primary driver, Cathy Lively, set the rate and we each pay her."
"If I know I'm going to need my car during the day, I don't carpool on those days," Liesenfelt said, "But I'd say that Cathy and Carmen carpool about 70 percent of the time."
"Other than the cost savings, one of the nicest things to me is that the ladies sit up front and I get to sit in the back seat and read. I don't get a chance to read very often, so I love it."
If you can't find enough people within your own company that want to carpool, SCAT provides carpool matching services.
"You can call in and let us know where you are going and what times," Liensenfelt said. "We keep an active list to help match you up with other people on your route that are interested in carpooling."
Vanpools
For larger groups, SCAT can help groups start up a vanpool. Through this program, seven to fifteen commuters can lease a van through VPSI (Van Pool Service Inc.) Vans are leased at a flat rate that includes all maintenance, insurance and administration. Since there are more people involved in a vanpool, the rules are sometimes a little more formal. But there is generally one designated driver that picks up and drops off the riders at a central location. Brevard's vanpool program has grown from six to more than 100 vans in the last 20 years to become the largest public/private sponsored vanpool program in the State of Florida.
Felipe Medina, a Pad Leader for United Space Alliance at Kennedy Space Center has been driving a vanpool to work for more than 25 years.
"I had a brand new car when I started working here back in 1979," Medina said. "After three years, I had already put over 100,000 miles on it. At that rate, I figured I'd wear out my car before I even had it paid off."
"So when they started the first vanpool out here, I joined up, and I've been the driver of the vanpool almost ever since. Our van holds 11 people, counting the driver, and we've had the same group for quite some time."
"We meet up each morning at a central location in Melbourne," Medina explained. "I drive and almost everyone else just sleeps. On the ride home, there are a few people that are going to school so there are a few laptops out. But again, the other passengers usually sleep."
"The cost is different every month," Medina said, "depending on the cost of gas. There is a lease payment for the van and then I add whatever the gas costs and we just divvy it up between us. But everyone is really saving on the wear and tear and the insurance costs on their own personal vehicles."
Persons interested in joining or starting a vanpool can contact SCAT, who will in turn, put them in contact with VSPI for van leasing and minimal training.
Brevard vanpools are currently traveling 175,000 miles per month, carrying approximately 30,000 passengers and logging more than 1,000,000 passenger miles per month.
Bicycles
And for those who enjoy fresh air and exercise, bicycling may be the most environmentally friendly alternative of all.
Debbie and Bill Patterson, a husband and wife who work at Northrop Grumman in Melbourne, ride their bikes to work on a regular basis.
"I starting riding to work about 3 months ago," Debbie Patterson said. "My primary reason was for the exercise, but I do like the environmental angle, too. My husband and I both work at Grumman but we work different schedules."
"For us it makes sense to ride on alternating days," said Bill, who has been commuting to work on and off for a couple of years. "That way if one of us has a flat tire on our bike or it starts pouring rain, the other will have their car."
Bill rides primarily for the exercise, picking up his pace when the bike club they both belong to, Space Coast Velo Sport, is preparing for a big ride. Debbie, on the other hand, also enjoys the relaxing aspects that bike riding provides.
"In the morning, I ride fairly slowly and just make it a relaxing experience. It clears my mind for the workday. It's almost a therapeutic experience. On the way home, I ride a little faster for the added exercise and because I don't mind so much if I work up a sweat at that time of day."
"I find it much more relaxing then travelling by car," Patterson said. "It's about eight miles one way, so it isn't that far, but I tried a few different routes until I found the one that works the best for me. "
For information about bicycling to work, SCAT refers people to Barbara Meyer, the Brevard County Bicycle Coordinator of Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).
"One of our program goals is to enhance bicycle safety and enjoyment in Brevard County," said Bob Kamm, Director of Space Coast TPO. "Anyone considering riding their bike to work can contact us for help in determining the best route and for understanding the rules for bike riders."
"On all newer roads, there are bicycle accommodations on road and off," Kamm explained. "But on roads that do not have marked bike lanes, it is important for drivers to understand that, by state law, bicycling is a legitimate mode of transportation and cyclists are allowed on the roadway. On the other hand, cyclists must obey all traffic control devices and signal their turns, etc. Our goal is to help make it safe for bicyclists and cars to share the road."
Health First is another local employer that has benefitted greatly from the resources available through SCAT. "We have more than 6,000 employees across our facilities," said Jim Kendig, VP/Safety Officer of Health First, Inc. "A few years ago, when we had that big spike in gasoline prices, we called up SCAT and we had their "Go Green" seminars at our different facilities to make sure the employees availed themselves of the different options available through SCAT. It's been very successful at getting people to start up vanpools. But more importantly, it also educated some of our folks relative to the current routes that SCAT buses take. A lot of people didn't realize that there was an existing route bus that passed very close to their home. For example, we have one employee that works at Cape Canaveral hospital that rides the bus for less than a dollar each way."
Judy Lewellen, Rideshare Coordinator for SCAT, said that many of the major employers in Brevard are taking advantage of shared transportation options.
"Sharing rides or using other alternative forms of transportation offers such a convenient, relaxing way for individuals to have an immediate effect on their personal environmental impact," Leinsenfelt said. "We'd love to see more people participate in all of these programs."
