Group Honored for Ride-Sharing Efforts

A nonprofit transportation association has received a top award for its work encouraging San Fernando Valley employees to car-pool to work.

Chatsworth’s 12th Council District Transportation Management Assn. was recognized by the 900-member Southern California chapter of the Assn. for Commuter Transportation as the organization with the most outstanding work in the region educating commuters about alternatives to driving alone.

“I was very pleasantly surprised,” said Aaron Hanson, executive director of TMA. “It’s like recognition from your peers that you have done a really good job.”

The Chatsworth association, which represents more than 15,000 employees at 25 West Valley companies, offers educational seminars and trip-reduction planning with the goal of improving air quality through increased ride-sharing.

Since it began in 1991, the Chatsworth organization has persuaded an average of 39 people from each of its companies to ride-share. The majority of the funding for the organization comes from membership fees. It has also won grants to provide services such as shuttles to connect commuter rail stations to businesses.