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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-06-11, Page 1414 News Record • Wednesday, June 11, 2014 Rideshare program could be in the future for Huron County Dave Flaherty Goderich Signal Star A proposed rideshare pro- gram for Huron and Perth counties continues to move forward. Ryan Erb and Jassamine Tabibi from the United Way for Perth -Huron presented an update on the proposed program at the June 4 county council meeting. The Huron Perth Trans- portation Task Force recom- mended the program. Erb said a lack of a car or other transportation can lead to residents being una- ble to keep employment. He said fewer vehicles on the road could also lead to lower emissions and help people save money on gas and vehicle maintenance. Erb asked councillors how many times they had trav- elled alone in their vehicle when they could have shared a ride. Tabibi said ride share pro- grams have helped commu- nities across North America. Locally, London has had a rideshare program since 2007 with 16 employers reg- istered with 151 registered users. Waterloo Region also uses a rideshare program with 23 employers with 360 regis- tered users. According to Tabibi, a sur- vey completed a few years ago by the task force showed there is a need for a ride share program in both counties. She said survey respond- ents said they would use a rideshare program for recre- ation, shopping and employ- ment, as well as for medical appointments. "Thirty-five percent of respondents indicated they would use public transporta- tion for employment, sug- gesting a rideshare program could be an option for indi- viduals to get to and from work," she said. Almost 15% of survey respondents said they had quit or lost a job because they had no way to get to their job. Tabibi said they have selected EnRoute by Path- way Intelligence Inc. as the rideshare software should the program go forward. She said EnRoute is suita- ble for a number of reasons. It is the same program used by the City of London, meaning EnRoute can con- figure all three geographical areas so users will be matched in both municipali- ties, so they can find matches in the overlapping areas. She explained that EnRoute had several unique features including a Smart - phone app and anonymous call -bridging capability, which means matches can communicate over the phone without personal information being released. Finally, EnRoute has lower costs than other software systems. For a two-year commitment, EnRoute requires a startup amount of $4500 and an annual fee of $3650, which Tabibi said is much less than other programs. Erb said in addition to financial support; the pro- gram needs leadership and marketing to succeed. "The critical balance is, if you are going to invest in it you have to make the com- munity aware," he said. Erb said while they would be requesting funding from the county, there are also employers and task force partners that are interested in providing support as well. Employers that sign on with a rideshare program would potentially be able to create their own sub -pages to help employees to get to work. Thinking about quitting?smoE T r TOLL-FREE 1-877-513-5333 HURON PERTH 1-I EALT H - RE LLIANCE � •CC� inrbw,til Public [I,[ Ire `i. _5°J ir4s Moen ,niJ Hi .pi[rd .�31ur�uuiil}°.Ficeipiiil Far.::.: r. 4nenl Hrepital Notice of Annual Meetings Clinton Public Hospital St, Marys fidlemorial Hospital Seafc rth Community Hospital ' tratford n tr ra I Hospital NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meetings of the Members of Clinton tublio Hospil®I, St. Marys Memorial Hospital, SealortCommunity Hospital end Stretford General Hospital will be held al the Mitchell Golf & Country Club In Mitchell, Ontario, on: Thursday June 19. 2074 et 7:00 p.m. .1. Receive Annual Reports of the Board of Directors, indud'e Financial Statements, together with the Auditor's. Report thereon. The FinanaieI Statements. will be evaJable prior in this rneetingon the Huron Perth Heald -gore Alliance website - ww.t1oha.ce. 2. Appoint Auditors_ 3. Receive the !id HOC Nominating Carrkrnittee Rept, Only members of the hoapdal Gerporatlar*shalltn entled to wte al the Annual General Ming. mien -oars c! Etre public are valor rrre r arfe r'd. Exceptional People, Exceptional Carel Help For Today. Hope For Tomorrow. Alzheimer Society o oo tiAN eti HAPPY 95TH BIRTHDAY HAZEL DOWSON JUNE 9 LOVE FROM YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS Erb said Perth County council has voiced their sup- port for the program. Bluewater Deputy Mayor Paul Klopp said he sees this as a program the county should get behind quickly. Central Huron Deputy Mayor David Jewitt raised the issue of liability. Tabibi said she was told by officials from London and Waterloo that as long as users agree to the terms and conditions of EnRoute, the municipality would waive any liability. Director of planning and development Scott Tousaw said the next step in the pro- cess would be for staff to meet with representatives of Perth County and provide a report back to council The Clinton News Record has joined the online conversation. Find us on: facebook® Follow us on Twitter. twitter. @ClintonNewsRcrd ��r•r--�/ FINLEY BIGLO Asmik\'' who turns 3 on June 12th! Lots of love, Mom, Dad, Jade, Drew & all your family! 0.