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Changing commute can save you money in 2005

Ten, nine, eight ... holiday sweaters you had to purchase for all those parties. Seven, six, five ... secret Santa gifts for coworkers. Four, three, two, one ... big bill waiting in the mail after the New Year's peach drops!

Wouldn't it be great if there were a way to save a little money after the holidays? Look no further than alternative commute options. The Clean Air Campaign can help you select from numerous alternatives to driving alone, starting the New Year off saving money and cashing in on the many other benefits of alternative commuting.

• Create a vanpool. A vanpool is a group of 7-15 people who ride to and from work together. Most vanpools are started at an employer site by a group of interested employees who live near each other and share a similar schedule. Riders pay fares based on how far the commute is and the number of riders. The fee is usually much less than the cost of driving alone because you save on gas and the wear and tear on your car. Solo driving costs an average of more than $16 per day for operating and ownership costs, and that doesn't include extras like parking fees. By utilizing a vanpool, you can avoid paying these costs by yourself.

• Take transit. Transit is a convenient and cost effective way to get around metro Atlanta. Many major locations can be reached by transit, and if you can use it for part or all of your daily commuting, transit can save money in vehicle operations costs, parking fees and tolls. Transit can be even less expensive if your employer or property manager offers passes through a discount program.

• Carpool to work. Carpooling is one of the most convenient commute alternatives. You save money by cutting gas costs in half, save time by taking the HOV lane and share driving responsibilities, which saves the wear and tear on your vehicle. Use 1-87-RIDEFIND's online ridematching service to find your carpool match.

• Get a free ride home. If you are concerned about being stranded at work, the Guaranteed Ride Home program can put your mind at ease. In the event of an emergency, a designated administrator at your worksite will give you a voucher for a free taxi ride or rental car, up to five times within a 12-month period.

• Try teleworking. Teleworking replaces travel to and from work. You work from home on a full or part-time basis, freeing yourself from traffic and becoming more productive. By teleworking just one day a week, you save all your commuting costs for that day. Many employers in the metro area offer teleworking programs to their employees, so ask your employer if they offer a teleworking program and start saving the extra gas money.

With the variety of options, saving a little cash by changing your commute has never been easier. To find out which alternative is right for you, visit www.cleanaircampaign.com or call 1-877-CLEANAIR.

The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that offers employers free assistance in the design and implementation of commute options and other smog-reducing programs as part of its role as the region's clearinghouse for solutions to air pollution and traffic congestion. In addition, the organization provides a children's education program, issues Smog Alert notifications and provides financial incentives to promote alternative commuting behavior. For more information about The Clean Air Campaign, call 1-877-CLEANAIR or visit www.cleanaircampaign.com.