By Tim Persyn
The Saratoga City Council on June 5 authorized the city to apply for state funds that would allow Saratoga schools, the city and AlTrans, a transportation-management agency, to begin a trip-reduction program for students.
AlTrans serves the community colleges of Santa Clara County and San Jose State University, working to reduce single-occupant vehicle trips.
Those involved hope the program will reduce traffic congestion at schools around Saratoga and educate residents of all ages about the environment. To achieve its objectives of reducing vehicle trips and miles to and from primary and secondary schools, the proposed program will promote carpooling, bike-riding, walking and using mass transit.
The estimated cost of the program is $162,000 a year. City funds will not be used.
The partnership between the city, AlTrans and local schools started in late 1994, when these parties formed a Transportation Management Association that explored how to start and fund a trip-reduction program.
Organizers hope the program will be under way by October. If it is successful, city officials say this trip-reduction program, with its focus on students in grades K-12, could serve as a model for other communities in the county.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, June 19, 1996.
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