CDOT and DRCOG Join Forces to Promote Alternative Travel on I-70
The I-70 SkiPool, an extension of DRCOG’s Way To Go commuter vanpool program, will provide the incentive to set up a new vanpool for a daily work commute by offering a free trip to the mountains each weekend this winter. Only available to new vanpools, CDOT and DRCOG hope the I-70 SkiPool encourages people to set up a vanpool with their coworkers, saving money for everyone involved and reducing the number of vehicles driving in the Denver metro area and the I-70 Mountain Corridor.
“CDOT is constantly looking for alternative ways to reduce traffic congestion in problem areas like I-70,” said Amy Ford, Director of Communications for CDOT. “The I-70 SkiPool program can take up to 268 vehicles off I-70 each month during ski season. We also hope the program encourages travelers to think about carpooling in general and take advantage of the benefits that come with it.”
The I-70 SkiPool program launches Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 and runs through Sunday, March 28, 2015. Up to 25 new vanpools can participate in the program, and DRCOG and CDOT have made it easy to join. The quickest way to establish a vanpool is to gather at least four coworkers or friends with similar commutes, and call 303-458-POOL (7665) or email [email protected]. The vanpools can be used Monday through Friday to get to and from work, and through subsidies and shared costs, vanpools save money for everyone involved. Through this winter, CDOT will cover the cost of each new vanpool to take one mountain trip every weekend – this means zero miles, gas costs and related maintenance on personal vehicles, while also reducing the number of cars on I-70. The vans provided by DRCOG are brand new, seven-passenger 2014 Chevrolet Traverses equipped with ski racks, XM radio, backup cameras and brand new tires.
“Carpooling and vanpooling saves drivers and their passengers money, as well as helps reduce CO2 emissions,” said Colleen Miller, Program and Marketing Manager for Way To Go. “On average, a trip from Denver to Silverthorne and back will cost a driver more than $75 and result in more than 110 pounds of CO2. This is based on AAA’s ‘Your Driving Costs’ study that found that through gas and other operational costs, drivers spend an average of $0.59 per mile driven. This cost is even higher for SUVs and trucks.”
CDOT and DRCOG encourage everyone to carpool and make sure vehicles are full when traveling to the mountains. Many resorts even offer discounted or free parking to vehicles with more than four passengers. Head to GoI70.com/carpool for a full list of resort benefits for carpoolers.
DRCOG’s Way To Go program provides reliable, easy, environmentally-friendly, no-nonsense commuting options to Denver area commuters. Carpooling and vanpooling can save commuters up to $1,800 on average each year. To learn more and find your own carpool or vanpool, head to MyWayToGo.org.
CDOT’s Change Your Peak Drive campaign works to improve the I-70 Mountain Corridor by encouraging mountain travelers to change not only the time they drive, but also how they drive. Through public education and strategic partnerships, CDOT works to give motorists the tools they need to be winter ready and know the resources they have for I-70 information. To learn more about the campaign and winter driving tips, visit winter.codot.gov.
