Here's the bad news: Traffic congestion increases by at least 3 percent each year in our region. Now for the good news: 77 percent of commuters drive alone to work.

Why is that good news? It shows how great an opportunity we have to reduce traffic, smog and consumption of fuel.

Monday marks the beginning of Ventura County's Rideshare Week, a chance for the Ventura County Transportation Commission and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District to promote ride sharing.

The first step is reminding commuters of how much money and time they can save by car pooling or taking public transit.

When determining how much money you can save, be sure to count not only your savings on gas but also reduced wear and tear on your vehicle, value depreciation and even possible insurance savings.

The Commute Smart Web site, www.commutesmart.info, can help you calculate the actual cost of driving alone. After entering information such as the number of days per week you work, your distance to work, and how many miles per gallon your car gets, you might be surprised by how much you can save by car pooling.

For example, a person with a 25-miles-per-gallon car who drives 20 miles round-trip five days a week spends about $229 a month to drive alone. That's $2,748 per year. Car pooling with one person who drives half the time could cut costs in half, to $1,374.

Take lunch to work

One of the most common objections to car pooling or mass transit is the fear that it will take too much time, but it can actually save you time, by giving you an opportunity to do multi-tasking. Some ride sharers use commute time to catch up on work, read or plan ahead.

Of course, as traffic worsens, it seems many commuters who drive alone are also trying to apply makeup, eat breakfast or talk on the phone, things much safer to do when you are a passenger.

To encourage ride sharing during Rideshare Week, the Transportation Commission is offering prizes for people who pledge to try an alternative commute method at least one day. The top prize is $1,000, and many additional prizes will be awarded.

Many people will win reusable lunch bags, small prizes with symbolic significance. The lunch bags illustrate both the obstacles and opportunities of ride sharing, because some workers use their cars during the day to go out for lunch. Bringing sack lunches instead might reduce lunchtime options but it saves money.

Also, if employers provide picnic benches or other eating areas, lunching at work can provide a relaxing break free of the hectic rush out of and back into parking lots.

Employers eligible

Organizers also are offering prizes to employers who help promote Rideshare Week. By holding a promotional poster contest, collecting ride-share pledges, e-mailing ride-share information to employees or taking other actions, employers become eligible for recognition and prizes. Those interested should contact Judy Willens of the Air Pollution Control District at 645-1424.

The Transportation Commission's Web site makes it easy to find car pool partners. It has a database of more than 13,500 Ventura County commuters interested in ride sharing, so there's a good chance it can help you find a match. You also can call the Ventura County Dial-A-Route Center at 800-438-1112.

The Web site and phone line can help you save money and time and reduce stress while also keeping an eye on the environment by reducing air pollution, conserving petroleum resources and easing traffic congestion.

On the Net:

www.goventura.org

www.commutesmart.info/costcalculator/index.asp

www.vcapcd.org/rideshare.htm

— David Goldstein is an environmental resource analyst for the county of Ventura. Representatives of government or nonprofit agencies who want to submit articles on environmental topics for this column should contact Goldstein at 658-4312 or david.goldstein@ventura.org.