Officially the Middle Peninsula Rideshare Commuter Services, MidPenRideShare is provided by the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission's Transportation Demand Management Program in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
MidPenRideShare, as the longest running grant funded program in operation by the MPPDC, exists to assist persons who are seeking transportation alternatives to commuting within and from the Middle Peninsula area.
“We encourage people to not drive alone by providing them some options,” Johnson said. “Many people don’t realize they have options to telework, carpool or rideshare from the Middle Peninsula to Richmond or Hampton Roads. Here on the Middle Peninsula we don't have congestion or air quality concerns. But what we do have is this large group of people commuting out of the region.”
Up until the launch of the new platform, Middle Peninsula residents were added to a database that only had access to Middle Peninsula users. “The new platform first and foremost connects Middle Peninsula drivers in real-time to a larger database that includes commuters in Richmond, Hampton Roads and beyond,” Johnson said.
After the no-cost registration on the site – midpenrideshare.org – members are encouraged to download the app and log each time they telecommute from home, use a bike share service, take mass transit or carpool or vanpool with others.
For more information about Midpenrideshare contact Beth Johnson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (804) 758-2311.
ABOUT THE MIDDLE PENINSULA PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION
The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission (MPPDC) is one of 21 planning commissions in Virginia charged with promoting the orderly and efficient development of the physical, social and economic elements of the district by planning, and encouraging and assisting localities to plan, for the future.
The MPPDC is comprised of the six counties (Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews, and Middlesex) and three towns (Tappahannock, Urbanna, and West Point) on the Middle Peninsula.
Commissioners are appointed by each locality and consist of two elected and one citizen member for each county and one elected member for each town. Three county administrators and one town manager serve on the Commission on a rotating basis. The Executive Director/Secretary, selected by the Commission, manages the daily operations of the planning district's professional staff.
MPPDC is funded by annual contributions from its member local governments, by appropriations from the Virginia General Assembly, and by grants from state and federal governments and other entities.
MPPDC prepares an annual work program and budget each year determined by the needs and priorities of the region and available funding opportunities.
For more information about the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, contact Lewie Lawrence at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (804) 758-2311.