Select a language:

Rideshare Modes

Ridesharing includes several commuting modes in which participants share a vehicle with others such as a carpool, vanpool, train or bus. It also includes active commute modes such as bicycling and walking to work. Here are some basic definitions.
 

 


  Carpooling
Carpooling is where two or more working adults traveling together in one vehicle, and usually take turns driving their own vehicle or share the travel-related expenses (including fuel, tolls, parking, etc.).
     
    Vanpooling
Vanpools are month-to-month "super carpools" requiring at least five (5) riders (including the primary driver) who have similar work schedules, live near one another, and work at the same destination. The vehicles are obtained from a third-party vendor, and one person usually leases the vehicle and typically does the majority of the driving while the other passengers pay a monthly fare. Other passengers can also be approved to be back-up drivers. 
     
    Commuter Rail/Metrolink
Metrolink is the regional commuter rail system that operates trains on seven lines in Southern California, with 62 stations, on 534 miles of track. There are twelve stations located in Orange County and many more in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Ventura counties. 
     
    Heavy Rail/Amtrak
Amtrak is the passenger railroad service that provides medium and long-distance inter-city rail services in the US. In Southern California they operate the Pacific Surfliner that serves the communities between San Diego and San Luis Obispo with many stops located in Orange County.
     
    Public Bus/OC Bus
OC Bus is the transit bus service operated by The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) serving every city in Orange County. Some of the bus lines serve the Los Angeles County border communities of Lakewood, La Mirada, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, and Long Beach along with express service to Downtown Los Angeles, and Riverside. As of September 2021, there are 58 routes in the system. 
     
 
  Walking and Bicycling 
Bicycling and walking to work is the most cost-efficient means of commuting. Riding a bicycle or walking to/from work for just one day each saves on the cost of gasoline, helps the environment, and provides an opportunity for some exercise.
     
 Telecommuting   Telecommuting
Telecommuting, also known as telework or remote work, is an agreed upon work arrangement in which employees do not commute to a central place of work and instead complete their job duties at home or a satellite work center.