Seattle is paying up $49K to get tech workers to carpool
Apr 15, 2017, 10:25 AM
Even though about 70 percent of commuters drive to work solo, the state is spending more money and time on carpool lanes. (AP photo)
(AP photo)
Seattle is ready to put up $49,000 to get downtown commuters to carpool. But if you’re traveling outside the South Lake Union area, you’re out of luck.
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As part of Seattle’s Commute Trip Reduction program, the city is working with Scoop, a carpooling app. It is the only such partnership outside of the Bay Area. As part of a pilot program, users of the app will get $2-3 off each trip for each participant in the car. The pilot starts April 17, and will last three months. The $49,000 funding the pilot program comes from state funds.
Scoop works by connecting people who need to travel to and from similar areas — essentially a carpool. You click on the app, indicate your destination, and a group is put together. Participants each throw in some money to cover the costs. Scoop promotes that commuters can save at least 30 percent of travel costs. It also says that drivers can save between 50-100 percent of their costs. Rides can run between $2-10.
But Seattle’s pilot program is limited. It is only available to those living and working in two zip codes — 98109 and 98121. Zip code 98109 covers the Seattle neighborhoods of South Lake Union, Westlake, and part of Queen Anne. Zip code 98121 covers Belltown. Basically, it’s open to workers in Seattle’s tech hub, encouraging them not to drive from Westlake to South Lake Union, or between Queen Anne and Belltown, etc. If you’re traveling from the Eastside, West Seattle, or any other area people commonly live, you won’t receive the discount.
Seattle has made an effort to cut down on single-drivers into the downtown core. The Commute Trip Reduction program is part of that, offering incentive programs to get people out of their cars. Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly has previously said that the city’s commuters need to move from their cars and onto buses. It may be working. A recent study found out that about 70 percent of commuters into downtown are not driving in alone, or using other methods of transportation.
