Monetary incentives offered to carpoolers Published Sept. 10, 2010 By Wayne Crenshaw 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Sharing a ride to work not only saves money for those who participate, but can also pay you as well. The Clean Air Campaign and the Transportation Incentive Program both offer avenues for those who carpool or vanpool to make money on top of the fuel and car-wear savings they receive. Robins partners with the Clean Air Campaign to give workers here a way to find carpool partners through an online registry at www.logyourcommute. org. Employees can go to the website and find people who live near them and have similar working hours. Heidi Schwingle, air quality program manager at Robins, said there are many good reasons for people to consider carpooling, in addition to the Clean Air Campaign's goal of reducing air pollution. "It helps by saving money on gas, saving wear and tear on your car, and with traffic and parking on the base," she said. Users of the site are invited to log their commute mileage saved through carpooling, which makes them eligible to win cash and prizes from the Clean Air Campaign's Commuter Re-wards program. Addition-ally, people who bicycle, walk, or vanpool can log on to win awards. The Clean Air Campaign is a non-profit organization which aims to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion. Schwingle said signing up for the site does not obligate anyone to carpooling, and people can choose to carpool only two or three days per week if they wish. The Transportation Incentive Program offers financial benefits to those who share rides in vehicles carrying six or more passengers. The program is funded by the federal government, and aims to offset commuting costs for active-duty military members and civilian employees, as well as reduce pollution and traffic congestion, preserve the environment and expand transportation alternatives. Most base employees are eligible for the program, both as drivers or passengers, but drivers must have a six-passenger vehicle. Passengers receive up to several hundred dollars each month, which is paid to the driver. The commuting program benefits employees financially, potentially saving them thousands of dollars every year. Signing up for the program does not obligate anyone, and people can choose to participate only two or three days per week if they wish. To learn more, call 926-7199.