Phoenix-based Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority (Metro) commuters have kept more than one million pounds of greenhouse gases out of the air by choosing environmentally responsible forms of travel found through “ShareTheRide” — an online tool that Metro launched approximately 100 days ago.

More than 4,500 individuals are using "ShareTheRide" and have shared 4,680,450 miles of vehicle travel. Had those vehicle miles been driven alone, more than one million pounds of additional greenhouse gases would have entered the air. 

“We’re very pleased to see so many Valley commuters doing their part to improve air quality,” said David Boggs, executive director of Valley Metro RPTA. “We hope more residents will discover how 'ShareTheRide' can help them start a new, environmentally friendly habit that will benefit each of us.”

The free "ShareTheRide" system at www.ValleyMetro.org helps commuters learn how much pollution their vehicle or mode of travel will generate. Residents create a personal profile, enter the type of vehicle they normally drive and how far they commute. Next, they log how they travel each day (by bus, light rail, carpool, vanpool, biking, walking or telecommuting) in an online calendar. "ShareTheRide" shows how much pollution they’ve saved or produced as a result. An online calculator identifies which types of pollution and how much will be generated by different modes of travel: greenhouse gas, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, non-methane organic gas, formaldehyde or sulfur dioxide.

The system’s primary function is to connect individuals to a carpool partner to help reduce total traffic emissions. More than 85 Valley companies also are using this system to help employees share the ride to work.