Higher gas prices are prompting more commuters to car pool in the Washington area, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
The council’s transportation network, Commuter Connections, saw a 21 percent increase in the number of car- and van-pool applications in 2011, when gas prices were 27 percent higher than 2010.
The regional agency encourages drivers to share rides as often as possible.
“In these challenging economic times, a little extra money can make a big difference,” Nicholas Ramfos, director of Commuter Connections, said in a statement. “Ridesharing is a safety valve in this type of economy and allows commuters control over how they travel on a daily basis.”
