From Mary Jensen, Sustainability Coordinator: All KSC faculty and staff are invited to take advantage of an exciting new opportunity: carpooling through erideshare.com. This free, easy-to-use, web-based service can match you up with other KSC employees from your area, allowing you to carpool to and from Keene State College.
To sign up, go to erideshare and use the password ‘trip‘. You will need to set up a membership account to immediately start using the service. However, you will not get spammed nor will your address be sold by setting up this membership account. We encourage you to read all the information on the site, especially the terms of service, safety, and carpool tips sections. By completely filling out your erideshare electronic form, KSC will be able to track faculty and staff miles, including the reduction in our carbon footprint,* trips taken, miles saved, and more.
Based upon the 2007/08 Faculty and Staff Transportation Survey, the average estimated total miles traveled (including commuting miles and travel throughout the work day) by faculty and staff is 340,000 miles per month representing an estimated use of 13,600 gallons at an approximated cost of $50,300 assuming $3.70 per gallon of gasoline!** Clearly, these figures are staggering!
Human Resources is now offering prizes for employees interested in tracking the number of rides they share each month and for those of you who walk or bike to work, in an attempt to reduce staff and faculty commuting miles and their increasing costs. Contact Valerie Hodge for details at vhodge@keene.edu.
To facilitate your bike ride to work, green bikes are available through the Mason Library with your faculty or staff ID,. The bike trail bordering the campus off Butler Court has recently been paved and offers easy access to adjacent shopping areas. In addition, the KSC Community Shuttle and City Express Bus service is also available for travel throughout the workday.
Members of the faculty, PAT and Operating Staff councils, the Sustainability Council, Human Resources, the President’s Commission on the Promotion of Wellness, and the President’s Office, all of whom support this initiative, hope that erideshare will be a beneficial service to faculty and staff at Keene State College. Please send your questions, comments, and concerns to Mary Jensen, sustainability coordinator, at mjensen@keene.edu.
*Keene State College has made a commitment to climate neutrality through the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment.
**Average month is based upon the academic year assuming an average four-week per month. Fuel figures derived from average fuel economy of vehicles reported in the survey.
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