Some problems with the drive to and from Wayne State University can be solved through two travel programs designed to provide alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle commute.

RideShare and MichiVan programs offer options to driving your own vehicle daily to the campus. Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) manages the programs.

RideShare is a federally funded, free, computerized service that matches cars and pool partners for the daily work commute. Its use can save money on gas, car maintenance and repair bills.

To be eligible you must register with RideShare, become a participant in a carpool or vanpool and enroll in the Guaranteed Ride Home Program. This guaranteed ride program soothes fears about being stranded without transportation due to an emergency. All one needs to do is call a taxi, get a receipt for the fare and mail it in for reimbursement.

RideShare is seeking riders for the drive from Ann Arbor to Wayne State and the New Center area during 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. work hours.

The second program, MichiVan, is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation. It supplies fully insured nine-or 15-passenger vans to groups of nine or more with costs split among riders. As a bonus the driver rides free and has use of the van evenings and weekends. In return the driver collects fares and maintains a minimum number of riders. RideShare also participates in that it helps find passengers for the van.

The RideShare matching service is free. You may register with no obligation to participate and obtain a computerized list of other commuters in your area

For more information or to register call (313) 963-RIDE.