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METRO STAR and the Houston Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) are partnering to celebrate vanpool during August, Commute Solutions Month. The opening celebration will be held at Houston City Hall on Aug. 4. STAR is also hosting special events for vanpoolers at employer and meeting locations throughout the region.
Over 6,300 commuters vanpool with STAR to and from work daily, removing over 58 million miles of wear from Houston’s roadways and eliminating an estimated 53 million tons of pollution each year. Vanpoolers report saving insurance and vehicle maintenance costs as well as time on their commute. Vanpool also reduces the number of single occupant vehicles congesting Houston area roadways.
According to David McMaster, Director of Commuter Services at METRO, “The vanpool program, now entering its 20th year, has had a significant impact on mobility and air quality in the eight county region. STAR is thrilled to work with hundreds of Houston area employers to help their employees find a better, safer way to commute to work.”
STAR encourages commuters to join the celebration during the month of August. Existing vanpoolers and those who are willing to try it out can benefit from several promotions and giveaways.
• New vanpool groups that start in August will receive their second month free.
• Interested vanpoolers in selected areas can “Try STAR” free for one week.
• Vanpoolers can earn a $25 STARward gift card for every new rider they refer.
• Riders who share their story of why vanpool works for them could win a catered lunch from the STAR team for their entire group.
• Additional giveaways are planned including special prizes sponsored by the Energy Corridor and Enterprise Rental Car.
Those who haven’t tried vanpool can still take part! STAR’s Placement Team works to find routes for commuters every day. Interested commuters can contact 713-224-RIDE or star@ridemetro.org.
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