Whether you drive, ride, or roll – Riverside County offers flexible travel options to fit your lifestyle. From buses and trains to carpools and vanpools, it’s never been easier to explore more convenient and efficient ways to commute. This October, take part in two national campaigns that encourage the use of public transit, ridesharing, and alternative modes of travel.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, celebrate the 8^th annual California Clean Air Day by riding the train or bus! Public transit operators across Riverside County will be offering free rides on this day, including Metrolink, Riverside Transit Agency (including CommuterLink and GoMicro), and many others! If you’ve never ridden the bus or train before, now is the perfect time to get started.

Rideshare Week (October 6 – 10) encourages travelers to explore new ways to commute other than driving alone – such as carpooling, vanpooling, walking, biking, or public transit – and IE Commuter provides incentives for doing so. IE Commuter, the popular commuter program led by RCTC and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, provides ride-matching services, trip planning tools, and exciting prizes just for participating. Discover a smarter, more affordable way to commute by visiting IECommuter.org.

Funding for bus and passenger rail services, motorist assistance, and ridesharing programs used by Riverside County residents is thanks in part to Measure A; the twice voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements. By expanding travel options throughout the region, RCTC continues to improve mobility for the people of Riverside County. Learn more about Measure A by visiting: rctc.org/measure-a

IE Commuter, the popular commuter program led by RCTC and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), was recently honored with the prestigious Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Industry Impact Award during the 39th Annual Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) International Conference. This national award recognizes outstanding programs that measurably improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance air quality.

The program was recognized for its leadership in shifting solo drivers towards shared commute modes through a coordinated blend of employer partnerships, incentive programs, education, and ridematching technology.

“Using carpools, vanpools, and public transportation significantly eases regional transportation congestion,” said RCTC Chair and Riverside County Board of Supervisor Karen Spiegel. “I am proud of the national recognition our IE Commuter program has in collaboration with our valued partners at SBCTA. Together, we are demonstrating our commitment to improving mobility for Inland Empire residents.”

The Inland Empire is home to more than 4.6 million residents who face some of the longest commutes in the country. The program facilitates carpooling, vanpooling, and the use of public transit as alternatives to driving alone. These initiatives enable residents to reduce commuting costs and travel time, while enhancing the overall quality of their daily commutes.

IE Commuter, RCTC, and SBCTA continue to pave the way for improved travel, cleaner air, and healthier communities. To learn more about the program and to start your smarter commute, please visit: iecommuter.org

As bird chirps get a little bit louder and the sun lingers just a little bit longer, you know spring has arrived. Each spring is accompanied by Earth Day. The annual tradition, which began in 1970, is celebrated every April 22 to demonstrate support for positive environmental action.

More than one billion people all over the world participate in Earth Day activities. Joining in the celebration are the numerous public transit service providers across Riverside County. On Earth Day, these Riverside County service operators offer free rides to encourage residents to use the bus and train. By ditching the car keys and taking public transportation, you can help reduce traffic congestion while enjoying convenient methods of travel.

Whether you’re traveling for work, school, or leisure, take advantage of these free rides on Tuesday, April 22:

This Earth Day let’s do our part to drive positive action in our communities, no matter how big or small.

Thanks to the recent expansion of RCTC’s VanClub program into the Coachella Valley and eastern Riverside County, more commuters are now saving time and commuting costs by starting and joining vanpools. The popular program recently welcomed four new vanpools – serving employees of the Ironwood State Prison in Blythe. VanClub is one of many ways RCTC and commuters are working to relieve traffic and help the environment. Currently, there are 49 vanpools being subsidized by VanClub.

Last year, SunLine Transit transferred its existing SolVan program to RCTC’s VanClub program. The consolidation helped streamline services and enhance the efficiency of vanpool operations across Riverside County – providing commuters with a larger pool of potential ridesharing buddies.

“Since joining RCTC’s VanClub, our vanpooling employees have experienced a significant reduction in stress and anxiety that comes with extreme commutes, many exceeding an hour each way. For those working long or even double shifts, vanpools are an absolute lifesaver – providing much-needed time to relax or rest on the way home. Plus, they’re saving a lot of money on fuel and maintenance for their personal vehicles,” said Sonia Andrade, employer transportation coordinator at Ironwood State Prison.

VanClub covers 50% of eligible Riverside County vanpools vehicle lease rates – up to $600 per month, which includes vehicle maintenance, roadside assistance, and insurance. This financial assistance helps vanpool members reduce cost and wear and tear on their personal vehicles while also reducing the number of cars on the road. VanClub members are also eligible to earn incentives through the IE Commuter program.

Since the program’s inception in 2018, VanClub members have helped reduce more than 523,888 drive-alone vehicle trips, 19.6 million vehicle miles traveled, and 7,404 tons of vehicle emissions.

VanClub is partially funded by Measure A, the twice-voter approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements and services in Riverside County. Additional funding is provided by local Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction) and federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement grant funds.

For more information about joining or starting a VanClub, visit: vanclub.net

No car? No problem. There’s more than one way to get around Riverside County. The region’s bus, passenger rail, and ridesharing programs are available for residents to get to their destinations without the use of a car. The Clean Air Day and Rideshare Week campaigns hope to encourage increased engagement with public transit services and ridesharing programs by inviting residents to reduce their carbon footprint through alternative travel modes.

Measure A, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in Riverside County, provides funding to expand travel options throughout the region. Some of these funds used for bus and passenger rail services, motorist assistance, and ridesharing programs that residents use every day to get to and from work or around their community.

Here’s how residents can get involved:

The Coalition for Clean Air’s 7th annual California Clean Air Day raises awareness about air pollution and promotes actions – such as taking public transit, bringing lunch to work, or even shopping locally – to improve air quality and protect public health. Riverside County transit service providers will make it easy to take action by offering free rides on Clean Air Day. Metrolink will be providing free rides on all trains and Riverside Transit Agency will be offering free rides on all local, CommuterLink, and GoMicro buses. To get started, take the Clean Air Day pledge and enjoy a free bus or train ride on October 2.

Rideshare Week (Oct. 7 – 11) encourages commuters – whose main mode of transportation to work features driving a car – to explore new modes of travel with an emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as biking, walking, vanpools, riding the bus or taking the train. IE Commuter, a collaboration between RCTC and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority, is a popular ridesharing program that assists commuters by providing incentives for ridesharing, personal ride matching services (including carpools and vanpools), Park & Ride lot information, and transit trip planning services. In 2023, IE Commuter supported more than 1,100 regional employers and reduced 10.7 million pounds in vehicle emissions through ridesharing programs and RCTC’s VanClub service.

This October, ditch the car keys and hop on the bus or train, join a carpool, or ride your bike to work and enjoy an improved, stress-free commute.

Members of RCTC’s popular vanpool program, VanClub, now have more reasons to celebrate. In addition to the reduced stress, travel time, and commuting cost benefits associated with joining a vanpool with their favorite coworkers, members are now eligible for vanpool subsidies when commuting to worksites in the eastern part of the county, such as the Coachella Valley and Palo Verde Valley. The program’s expansion into eastern Riverside County is a result of the recent transition of SunLine Transit Agency’s vanpools. The agency sunset its SolVan program and transferred existing vanpools to RCTC’s VanClub program. The consolidation will streamline services and enhance the efficiency of vanpool operations across the county, allowing commuters interested in vanpooling to have a large pool of potential ridesharing buddies.

VanClub provides a subsidy of up to $600 per month for all eligible vanpools destined for worksites in Riverside County. The subsidy amount varies and is applied to the cost of the vanpool lease, which includes vehicle maintenance, roadside assistance, and insurance—subject to eligibility and restrictions. This significant financial assistance helps commuters save money and reduce the wear and tear on their personal vehicles.

Since its inception in 2018, RCTC’s VanClub program has been instrumental in providing cost-saving transportation options for commuters with long commutes and challenging schedules. By offering subsidies to eligible vanpools, VanClub has successfully reduced nearly 17 million vehicle miles traveled (VMTs) and 6,400 tons of pollutants, making a significant impact on the environment in our communities. Your choice to join VanClub is not just about saving money; it’s about making a difference by reducing your carbon footprint, getting cars off the road, and enhancing your quality of life through less stressful and more sustainable commuting options.

RCTC’s VanClub is committed to providing safe and reliable vanpools for all, including agricultural workers. Through its partnership with the California Vanpool Authority, a public transit agency, VanClub ensures that a wider range of commuters, regardless of their industry, have equitable access to cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation options.

“Vanpooling has made my 100-mile daily commute manageable. Sharing the commute with others provides camaraderie. It also reduces my carbon emissions and saves money. Driving alone no longer makes sense,” said VanClub member James E.

VanClub exemplifies RCTC’s commitment to providing innovative and cost-effective transportation solutions for commuters in Riverside County. The program is partially funded by Riverside County’s Measure A, a half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements and services. Additional funding is provided by local Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction (MSRC) and U.S. Department of Transportation Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant funds. To sign up for VanClub, visit vanclub.net.

The advent of small scale, flexible transit service – also known as microtransit – is shaping the way travelers get around. Recently launched on-demand microtransit programs from Riverside County transit providers have riders excited – and for good reason. With a few taps of a smartphone app or a short phone call, riders can plan and book rides to bus stops, schools, local businesses, doctor appointments, and other popular destinations. These rides are often less expensive than common ride-hailing apps allowing for residents from underserved communities to also use the service.

GoMicro, the popular on-demand microtransit service from Riverside Transit Agency (RTA), offers shared rides in the Hemet-San Jacinto microtransit zone that overlays existing RTA fixed routes. The GoMicro service made its much-anticipated debut in December 2022, providing nearly 3,000 rides in its first 30 days of service. Booking a ride is as easy as downloading the RTA GoMicro Transit App, creating an account, and requesting a pickup. Trips can also be booked through the GoMicro webpage or by calling 951-633-2629. GoMicro service operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

GoMicro’s surging popularity has prompted the need for additional funding to extend the service. Earlier this year, RCTC worked closely with RTA to assemble a grant application for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) grants program. As a result of the joint effort, a $2,378,635 grant was awarded that will allow RTA to extend the pilot program an additional 12 months and to implement similar on-demand microtransit service in other areas in the region.

In the sunny Coachella Valley, SunLine Transit Agency’s microtransit service – SunRide – has also proven to be a popular option amongst riders. The on-demand service launched in two Coachella Valley zones and has recently expanded service to seven zones that includes Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs-Desert Edge, Indio, Mecca-North Shore, Palm Desert, and Palm Springs. SunRide connects riders to SunLine’s fixed route network and serves more than 100 destinations that include John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, DMV, schools, parks, and shopping centers. Riders can plan, book, and keep track of trips through the official SunRide mobile app or by calling SunRide Customer Service at 760-343-3450. The service is currently available Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Through these exciting new transit services, RTA, SunLine, and agency partners are focused on offering expanded mobility solutions to meet the diverse needs of Riverside County’s growing population.

VanClub members and anyone looking for a better commute have more reasons to celebrate! The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) recently approved an increase to the monthly subsidy vanpool program. The increased subsidy covers 50% of vehicle lease rates – up to $600 per month. Previously, the subsidy covered up to $400. An additional $100 is also available for zero-emission vehicle vanpool leases.

VanClub, a service of RCTC, subsidizes eligible vanpools up to $600 per month towards the cost of a vanpool lease, which includes vehicle maintenance, roadside assistance, and insurance. This means if the monthly vehicle lease rate is $1,050, the subsidy amount paid toward the lease will be $525. If the monthly vehicle lease is $1,200 or more, the subsidy amount will not exceed $600.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, private transportation costs increased by 15.5% between 2021 and 2022, raising solo driving costs to all-time highs. By making the switch to vanpool, riders can enjoy reduced transportation costs on gas, tolls, and parking. Riders also get to minimize wear and mileage on their own vehicles and reclaim time in their day.

Communities benefit from vanpools through reduced greenhouse gas emissions from less cars on the road. Since the program’s inception in 2018, RCTC’s VanClub members have helped reduce more than 397,000 drive-alone vehicle trips, 14.5 million vehicle miles traveled, and 5.5 tons in vehicle emissions.

VanClub is partially funded by Riverside County’s Measure A, a half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements and services. Additional funding is provided by local Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction (MSRC) and federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant funds. VanClub is one of the ways RCTC and commuters can work together for transportation solutions that better the environment and roadway congestion.

For more information about joining or starting a VanClub, visit vanclub.net.

Earth Day is a day of celebration, action, and reflection. RCTC and agency partners are helping our planet by providing and advocating for sustainable solutions in transportation and land conservation. Here’s how to get involved:

Ride-hailing apps have revolutionized how commuters and leisure travelers move around our cities and communities. With just a few clicks, we can request a car to pick us up for medical appointments, dinner with friends, or to go home.

Noting the popularity of these on-demand options, the Riverside Transit Agency will launch its GoMicro service on December 19. With GoMicro, RTA will offer shared rides within the Hemet-San Jacinto microtransit zone that overlays existing RTA fixed routes.

Booking a ride will be as easy as downloading the RTA GoMicro Transit App, creating an account, and requesting a pickup. Unlike other ride-hailing apps, riders can only be dropped at bus stops within the microtransit zone. Riders will be required to reserve rides in advance and should expect a minor wait time.

The app also allows ride-tracking and reserving rides up to seven days in advance. Fares will be the same as regular bus service, with the option to pay on the bus with cash or though the app.

RTA’s GoMicro service will run on ADA-friendly minibuses that hold up to 12 riders. Bike racks and Wi-Fi will be available. The service will operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More details about this exciting service are available at https://www.riversidetransit.com/index.php/gomicro-coming-soon