GWRideConnect NEWS
Stafford Slugging is Going Strong at 610
On August 8, 2023, GWRideConnect conducted a study on the practice of slugging within the George Washington Region, also known as Planning District 16, finding significant slugging activity at Stafford County’s Staffordboro Park and Ride Lot located off Route 610.
Originating in the 1970s, slugging has evolved into an efficient form of instant carpooling that substantially reduces vehicle miles travelled (VMT). Slugging, recognized as casual or instant carpooling, is when a driver picks up non-paying passenger(s) at a specific pickup location and drops the passenger(s) off at a drop-off location that is agreed upon before the rider enters the vehicle.
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, the surveyors counted 436 riders (slugs) that obtained rides with 220 vehicles. GWRideConnect executed a similar study last year on also the second Tuesday of August. Compared to the same time last year, there was an impressive increase of 51% in the number of riders and a 44% increase in vehicles engaged in providing rides for slugs at the Staffordboro Park and Ride Lot. This was the only location where slugging activity was observed both last year and this year.
As described in the full report, available below, during the early morning time interval of 4:30 and 5:00 a.m., the average wait time between arriving vehicles was 4 minutes and 49 seconds. In contrast, the period between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. witnessed a remarkably swift average of just 33 seconds between arriving vehicles.
The full report for the August 8, 2023 count, is located here: https://www.gwrideconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Slug-Survey-2023-Final.pdf
The full report for the 2022 count is located here: https://www.gwrideconnect.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slug-Survey-2022-Final-Report.pdf
To find a formal carpool or vanpool for your commute, fill out our easy form and we will let you know what is available. We can also help to get started riding VRE, Metro, FBXGO, and OmniRide.
GWRideConnect Cuts the Ribbon to Cut Down Congestion
We are celebrating the one-month anniversary of our new Park and Ride lot in Spotsylvania! On June 5, 2023, GWRideConnect joined several other state and local organizations to celebrate the completion of the new commuter lot in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. The new lot is located south of Cosner’s Corner at Route 1 and Commonwealth Dr intersection, roughly 2 miles from I-95 Exit 126.
The new lot boasts 700 parking spaces for commuters to utilize, including 14 accessible parking spaces and 10 motorcycle parking spaces. A bus shelter is scheduled to be installed soon in the dedicated transit arrival and departure area. The lot also connects to a ten-foot-wide shared-use path along Route 1 and a sidewalk was constructed along Commonwealth Dr.
GWRideConnect was also joined by Time2Go Vans and MBP Vans, two vanpool companies that service the GWRideConnect region. Time2Go and an Omniride commuter bus took the ceremonial first ride from the new lot, carrying the representatives from VDOT, Spotsylvania County, NVTC, FAMPO, GWRideConnect, Omniride, and several other organizations.
The first carpool meet was reported the very next morning. This lot is another effort to reduce single-occupant vehicles on the road, specifically traveling to and from the workplace. Reducing single-occupant vehicles reduces traffic congestion, wear and tear on infrastructure, and improves air quality among other benefits to the community.
