Governor Peter Shumlin says the state wants to ease parking problems in Montpelier by encouraging people to take public transportation or share rides in a carpool.
Shumlin says the effort to get state workers to drive less includes discounted fares for buses coming to the capital.
"We’re going to be offering 50 percent discounts to any state employee who buys a bus ticket on the current bus routes headed for Montpelier from Burlington, the Northeast Kingdom, Randolph or any other routes in the region," Shumlin said. "So 50 percent discounts to encourage riding the existing public transit from our park and rides to Montpelier."
Shumlin made his announcement at the overflowing Richmond park and ride near Interstate 89, where commuters routinely park on the grass because of the congestion. The governor said the park and ride will be expanded this summer by 53 spaces so that more people can use the commuter bus service.
The governor says the state has also set up an emergency ride home service for commuters who currently drive because they're worried about suddenly needing their car.
The state contracts with private transportation companies to offer that service and pay for it.
