Community car-pooling initiative gets off the ground in Sackville

In a move to ease the burden on commuters' wallets and the environment, the town is pursuing plans for a community car-pooling initiative.
With upwards of 400 residents traveling in and out of Sackville to work every day, Coun. John Higham said encouraging ride-sharing will not only help lessen the impact on residents' pocketbooks but will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Higham, liaison councillor for the community economic development department, co-hosted a public forum earlier this summer along with Coun. Margaret Tusz-King to discuss the best way to develop car pooling in the community.
"We had some input from residents and the feeling was that this is a good idea," he said.
The town will initially establish a communal parking area for car poolers, located next to the Sackville welcome centre - a parking lot that will be accessible, open, well-lit, cleared of snow, and close to other amenities, said Higham.
Signage will also be erected to mark the designated parking lot area.
A car-pooling website will also be developed that will allow people to register and develop their own links. For people without access to the internet, said Higham, they can visit the VIC where posts will be placed on a message board.
"This will provide an opportunity for people to come together to determine if there are compatibilities (for travel)."
Higham said the town will also be carrying out a marketing plan to promote the new car pooling program, which will include advertising the initiative in the newspaper, on the town's website and in the town newsletters, as well as hosting an open house for the launch.
With many Sackville residents feeling the pinch of skyrocketing gas prices, Higham said he believes ride-sharing will become a more attractive option for a lot of commuters.
He said even a small number of participants would produce local benefits, because car pooling is an effective measure in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.