ATLANTA - High gas prices, gas shortages, an increased emphasis on "going green," a struggling economy - you name it - Georgia commuters had plenty of reasons in 2008 to rethink their commute. Across the region, more people stopped driving alone to work, choosing instead to carpool, vanpool, ride transit, telework, bicycle and walk. In fact, it wasn't only commuters looking for alternatives. Employers also turned to The Clean Air Campaign and its partner organizations in record numbers to help their employees find a less expensive way to get to work.

The numbers speak for themselves:

* Participation rates went up 300 percent for the incentive programs aimed at getting people who drive alone to make the switch to an alternative.

* RideSmart, the region's ridematching service, received 175 percent more applications from commuters looking for carpool, vanpool and bike partners than it did last year.

* Approximately 100 vanpools were formed this year. That's more than double the number of vanpools formed in 2007.

"I love my vanpool, and not only because of the savings or our bad economy. I enjoy the people that I ride with," said Dorothy Blagmon, a vanpooler who commutes from Lawrenceville to Norcross. "I started vanpooling because of high gas prices, and even though they've since gone down, I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't have to fight traffic, and I can sit back and relax all the way to my office door."

Commuters like Dorothy pushed The Clean Air Campaign into overdrive as the requests for help poured in from individuals and employers. "We had never seen such intense interest in our programs," said Kevin Green, executive director of the non-profit Clean Air Campaign. "We hired temporary help just to manage the calls and faxes that flooded our office. Most commuters and employers were seeking an immediate solution."

This couldn't have been truer than for Athens Regional Medical Center. It partnered with The Clean Air Campaign specifically because it needed help retaining employees who simply could not afford to get to work. For other companies, like Network Communications, Inc., having telework-capabilities already in place meant being empowered to navigate the gas shortage that hit Georgia with more ease.

"Telework programs are a critical part of any business continuity plan," said Mike Williams, The Clean Air Campaign's director of programs and employer services. "You never know when employees won't be able to physically make it in to the office, and teleworking can be the difference between closing your doors and business-as-usual."

While commuters and employers embraced alternatives in a big way during 2008, this year also saw transportation take center stage in policy discussions. The year started with the business community championing a change to state law that would allow local and regional authorities to tax themselves in order to fund transportation improvements. Although the amendment was defeated by a narrow margin, the stage is set to revisit the legislation in 2009. Other 2008 transportation developments include the Governor's "Investing in Tomorrow's Transportation Today" program and the announcement that Georgia will receive funding for a pilot program to convert high occupancy vehicle lanes to high-occupancy toll lanes.

"This year has been phenomenal in many ways," said Green. "Now is an exciting time to be in the business of creating traffic and air quality solutions that make Georgia a better place to live and work, and I anticipate that 2009 will be an outstanding year for The Clean Air Campaign and all of our regional partners."

As 2009 comes into sight, gas prices are down and the shortage is over, but it looks like these changes in commuting habits are here to stay. In the past few months, the economy has many people looking for ways to cut back, and choosing a commute alternative is one way to save.

When asked if she ever plans to return to driving alone, Dorothy Blagmon was quick to respond: "Nope. I just got a break on my car insurance."

The Clean Air Campaign thanks all of the commuters, employers, schools and partner organizations that made 2008 a record year and anticipates 2009 will be another landmark year for reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.

For more information, visit

www.CleanAirCampaign.com or call 1-877- CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624).

ABOUT THE CLEAN AIR CAMPAIGN

The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia's employers, commuters and schools to encourage actions that result in less traffic congestion and better air quality. To accomplish this goal, The Clean Air Campaign, along with its associate organizations, partners with more than 1,450 employers to create custom commute options programs; and annually helps thousands of commuters find commute alternatives that work for them, providing financial incentives to get them started. The Clean Air Campaign also protects public health by issuing smog alerts and empowers students, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and cleaning the air.