With all the KnoZone action days that are sure to be coming our way this summer, an alternative to driving alone to work is very favorable. That’s where Commuter Connect comes in. First, the basics are in order: it is a service which helps employers find alternative modes of transportation for their employers. It saves stress for the commuter, stress on the environment, and stress on the wallet, the last of which is the factor which perhaps strikes the average commuter the hardest. The users of this system are my type of people. After all, my dad gave me a ride to the event (who wants to dodge and swerve downtown traffic if they don’t have to?). It saved me gas money, and I got to sing Journey and Paul Simon along with my pops and the (much better sounding) radio.
I spoke with two One America employees, both of whom utilize the bus systems. The first, a woman named Donna, was a native of Australia. She says public transportation is very much a part of everyday life Down Under and it was surprising that America wasn’t the same way. She spoke very highly of IndyGo, saying the people on her route were almost like a family. It has relieved much of her stress going to work, and her family has been able to get rid of one of their cars, using their remaining one for emergencies. “I don’t text and drive, I ride and Wi-Fi,” she said with a smile.
The second woman I talked to, Becky, also mentioned her love of using Wi-Fi on the ride to work. The hassle of parking and dodging construction makes her work day less tense, therefore, more productive. She said the only downside would be for an individual with children, but even Commuter Connect has an answer for that. It has an emergency cab service if one’s child is sick and needs a parent to come home quickly. It seems that this service has covered all its bases, hopefully moving Indy to a greener, more efficient city.
