Due to the success of Carma’s program in Northwest Austin, we are bringing the toll benefits program to carpoolers on the newly opened Manor Expressway! The 6.2 mile toll road will help triple the current capacity of US 290 East, getting East Travis County residents into central Austin faster and more reliably. Plus those who carpool can save up to 100% of the toll costs through our program, as thanks for putting empty car seats to good use in fighting traffic locally.
We celebrated this weekend at a party smack dab in the middle of the expressway, with over 500 Austinites and our friends at the Mobility Authority. We were honored to drive one of the first cars on the brand new lanes, and get to meet some of our newest members in Manor and Elgin!
This was one of several milestones we’ve had this month, as Carma just reached 1,000 members in Austin. While the program only launched in late February of this year, our members already helped keep 1,250 car trips off the road, saved themselves over 800 gallons of gas, and prevented over 15,700 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions*. All by sharing rides! Carma has also helped 183A toll road users in North-West Austin save over to $500 in toll costs.
While other transportation network companies have been stirring up rideshare debates locally, Carma is currently the only legitimate ridesharing company in Austin that’s helping residents do exactly that – share rides to get extra cars off the road during peak traffic hours. We’re thankful for the support from Austin City Council, and for our members who are teaming up with us to help solve the traffic issues we all sit in every day.
Not yet a Carma member? Visit www.carmacarpool.com/austin or download the Carma Carpooling app.
Want the ridesharing movement to build in your neighborhood? Email us at austin@car.ma and we’ll work with you to spread the word. We may even let you borrow the Carma Tesla for a week!
*Based on two people sharing a ride rather than each driving alone. Calculated using U.S. EPA 2011 average passenger vehicle fuel economy of 21 MPG