Region offers Smart Commute

Local residents searching for someone to carpool with can now cruise the Internet to find who they're looking for. The Region has joined in on the Smart Commute initiative-- an online ride matching service that connects Halton residents who want to carpool. Smart Commute's Web site, www.smartcommute.ca, works like a searchable database of classified ads. Commuters create a login and fill out information about their commute, such as time, origin and destination. Then, the system automatically searches the database to find the

closest possible match. Commuters can also add various preferences to help them find a carpool that best matches his or her needs. Preferences could include whether they can drive or not, will or won't travel with smokers and if they would only like to ride with others of the same gender. The $7.9 million Smart Commute initiative-- funded by Transport Canada's Urban Transportation Showcase Program, GTA municipalities and the private sector-- partners Halton Region with other municipalities, such as the regions of Peel, York, Durham and the cities of Toronto, Mississauga and Hamilton.