May 6, 2011

The Commuter Information Team hosted the 21st annual Clean Commute Day in the Central Virginia region on Friday. Representatives and sponsors gathered at the Community Chalkboard on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall from 11am to 2pm.

Area commuters were encouraged to take the “Clean Commute Pledge,” promising to use a commute option other than driving alone for at least one day.

"Even if it's just one day a week, we're just asking people to try it one day. We hope that it will become a habit and they will do it more," said Rideshare program manager Lisa Horanyi.

Participants who made the pledge were eligible to win prizes from sponsors, with the grand prize being two tickets on Amtrak's Northeast Regional Service good for travel to any location along the route from Charlottesville to Boston.

To encourage participation, area transit services helped the community “clean commute” for free. Charlottesville Area Transit offered free bus rides all day on Friday and JAUNT offered free rides to all commuters boarding a bike the entire week of the event.

Residents can take the “Clean Commute Pledge” at CommuterInformation.com.