Mystic Seaport Joins Ride Share Incentive

NuRide, Inc., an incentive-based ridesharing network, has partnered with Connecticut’s Mystic Seaport, The Museum of America and the Sea, to reward regional commuters who share rides using the company’s service with free admission to the attraction.

Mystic Seaport, located in Mystic, CT, is a maritime museum, and the incentive is part of its relationship with the Connecticut 2,000,000 Mile Rideshare Challenge, a regional event bringing together commuters and sponsors to help alleviate some of the area’s transportation and environmental woes.

“Given our need to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in this region, we are thrilled to be a part of this important initiative,” said Michael O’Farrell, spokesman for Mystic Seaport in a statement. “Since our belief is that the ‘sea connects all things’, our commitment to providing these rewards will allow Mystic Seaport to join commuters in their mission to preserve our environment.”

The challenge launched Jan. 1. The event involves thousands of commuters who will share rides resulting in 2 million fewer miles driven and more than 88,000 gallons of gasoline being conserved. To participate in the program, commuters use NuRide’s ridesharing program at Nuride.com to find other people going their way. The NuRide Web site calculates the savings for each trip and awards participants with incentives for participating.

NuRide began to incent consumers with perks for carpooling in 2004 in order to scale back on driving and to ultimately reduce pollution. With NuRide, consumers earn rewards from sponsors for ridesharing. The company currently has 60 sponsors including XM Satellite Radio, Disney on Ice and Brookstone and 16,000 commuter members. Typical NuRiders who travel with one other person on a regular basis can earn rewards valued at as much as $500 a year. NuRide’s Essex, CT, office handles.