Ridesharing Campaign Launched in Fukui Prefecture

A ridesharing campaign was launched in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, on August 1, 2009, with the aim of reducing car-related environmental impacts. It will be conducted until February 28, 2010, with 85 participants from six trial areas.

Under the program, membership cards are issued to the participants, and those who get a ride from another member get one point, while the driver gets two points for every passenger in the car. Participants are then eligible to receive small gifts from sponsors according to the amount of points they collect. This system encourages them to rideshare whenever they go to places like meetings, events, shopping districts, and hospitals.

As Fukui Prefecture is a car-dependent society, with Japan's highest number of cars owned per household, the prefectural government has been working on various projects to reduce car use, including promoting the use of public transportation and bicycles for commuters. The new campaign is one such initiative.

Posted: 2010/01/24 06:00:15 AM