Hanscom partners with state to offer NuRide

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The base is partnering with MassRIDES and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to offer a new commuter program called NuRide. The advantage of this program is that it offers rewards.

"We're excited about this new program," said Greg Cravedi, environmental specialist in the Environmental Management Office. "We want to provide as many options as possible to commuters at Hanscom and the fact that this program offers rewards should be enticing to a lot of people."

NuRide is the nation's largest commuter awards program, according to a fact sheet from MassRIDES. Its purpose is to encourage healthier and more sustainable modes of travel while reducing traffic and emissions throughout the state.

The program, which is free and available online at www.commute.com/NuRide, is available to anyone who lives or works in Massachusetts. It allows users to earn points for traveling on public transportation, biking, walking, carpooling or even telecommuting.

Participants can redeem points for rewards such as restaurant coupons or discounts at local and national retailers. In addition, participants may choose to allow the online program to track financial and environmental savings.

Another feature of NuRide is the ability for participants to find someone to carpool with. The website allows users to join or start a carpool by finding others who are traveling in the same direction.

As with other commuter programs already available at Hanscom, NuRide incorporates the Emergency Ride Home program for those who qualify and pre-enroll in ERH. MassRIDES will reimburse taxi or rental car fees up to four times per year to those who have an emergency and need to leave work. To register for ERH, visit www.massrides.com and click on Emergency Ride Home.

"We hope a lot of people take advantage of NuRide," said Mr. Cravedi. "Carpooling or using other methods to commute not only reduces the number of vehicles on the road during morning and evening rush hours, but it also helps the environment."

For further information about commuting options at Hanscom, visit ESC CenterNet and select the Commuter eBoard option under Quicklinks or call the Transportation Demand Management Program at 781-377-7950 or 781-377-2904.