The University of Arizona recently launched RideAmigos, a ride-sharing, commuter rewards program that encourages the UA community to seek alternative modes of travel to and from campus. 

RideAmigos gives all UA students and staff the opportunity to find alternative commuter options like public transit, carpools and vanpools. It also lets users log their commuter miles to get points, which can be used for rewards and prizes.

RideAmigos is replacing the previous commuter program used by the UA, Zimride. 

“In the five weeks of [RideAmigos’] launch, we’ve had almost 1,000 people sign in,” said Florence Dei Ochoa, marketing and public information manager for UA Parking and Transportation Services. “To compare it to Zimride, the last rideshare platform, we only had 4,000 users in the five years of using it.” 

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41,689.5 miles have been logged in total so far, and 32,763.4 of those miles have been logged for alternative modes of travel, meaning non-single-occupant vehicles. 

Parking and Transportation Services provided specific data from RideAmigos as of Feb. 12:

RideAmigos is part of UA Parking and Transportation Service’s climate plan to reduce UA’s carbon footprint and increase sustainability at the UA. The ultimate goal of RideAmigos is to get less people driving to the UA alone.  

“We hope that this program will get people excited about their commute and consider the many benefits to commuting in ways other than driving by themselves,” Ochoa said. “[Including] CO2 savings, money saved, calories burned and prizes from Parking and Transportation Services.”

If you already commute to the UA, or are looking to start, RideAmigos can help you find new ways to commute and get you prizes along the way.

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