Ride-Share program offers savings, community-building Published April 12, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- In an effort to make Spangdahlem a more environment-friendly installation, the 52nd Fighter Wing Environmental Success Team is making available to Sabers a program that reduces fuel emissions and cost. The debut of the Ride-Share program also lines up with other Earth Month actions and celebrations aimed at increasing environmental awareness and sustainment. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Web site, almost all of the cars and trucks we drive run on fuels derived from oil, which is non-renewable. While there is some debate as to how long this resource will last, we will eventually have to find new ways to power highway vehicles. In the meantime, it makes sense to use fossil resources such as oil more efficiently to buy time to develop new and better energy sources and to make the transition to these sources smoother and less expensive. That is exactly what the Ride-Share program is geared to do - use fuel more efficiently. The program is an easy-to-use option to find fellow Sabers wishing to carpool to and from work. "Getting involved in the program is simple. (The Environmental Success Team) created a listing of many towns in the local area," Jutta Luna, a member of Environmental Success team and Ride-Share advocate, said. "You look for your village on the list and under the town name include your name, what time and where you go on base, and your contact information." Because of the layout of towns surrounding Spangdahlem Air Base, driving into work may often involve driving through other towns, as well. You can also list your name under towns along your route into work if you're the offering the ride. Then, you can wait for someone to contact you or you can check the list periodically for people near you interested in using Ride-Share. Though the program may start out slow, there is may be potential for the program to balloon once people become aware of the benefits and get involved. "I know there are a lot of people who leave for work at the same time and from the same areas. Those people can definitely benefit from using the program," Frau Luna said, "There are a lot of benefits for the environment if people use the Ride-Share program, but I think many people are very interested in how it will benefit them personally. "The Ride-Share Program allows people with car trouble or a family with only one car another option for transportation. It can build a sense of community and allow people to meet others they wouldn't otherwise meet, and the most important benefit for many people is it can be a major cost savings," she said. The monetary benefits to using the program increase as gas prices continue to rise. Fattening your wallet could be enough incentive alone to look up a neighbor in the Ride-Share town listing. "This is such a great program," Frau Luna said. "I intend on using it myself. Actually, my name is already on the list."