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<br />States is in a comparatively low state of development. <br />As one participant noted, we even compare unfavorably <br />with Third World countries. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />> The cooperation between the Minnesota Department of <br />Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the Metropolitan Transit <br />Commission (MTC) has brought about some noticably <br />beneficial changes in highway design in the Twin City <br />metropolitan area, with carpool and bus lanes on highways <br />and ramps, and with exclusive bus shoulder lanes on some <br />highways. <br /> <br />> Van Pool Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of <br />Chrysler, Inc., encourages the use of vanpools, and <br />leases vehicles for that purpose. The cost depends on <br />the commuting distance and the type, size and age of the <br />vehicle. <br /> <br />> Minnesota Rideshare is a Mn/DOT program whose purpose is <br />to reduce the number of single rider vehicles on the <br />streets and highways. The program not only encourages the <br />sharing of transportation, but also biking, walking, <br />telecommuting from home, or any other alternative which <br />will reduce vehicular traffic. The program has a number <br />of suggestions for employers as incentives such as: . <br /> <br />-offering free or preferential parking. <br /> <br />-offering a guaranteed ride home in case of emergency <br />or the need to work late. <br /> <br />-financing, in the form of Transit Bills (T-Bills) to <br />employees who use buses, vanpools or carpools. Recent <br />federal legislation allows employers to subsidize up <br />to $60 a month per person for busing, vanpools or <br />carpool parking. T-Bills are business tax deductions, <br />and are excluded from taxable income for employees. <br /> <br />> The Minnesota Rideshare program has an office in <br />Minneapolis for the seven county metropolitan area, which <br />is partially funded by the Regional Transit Board (RTB) <br />and is housed in an MTC facility. The rest of the state <br />is serviced by Mn/DOT, with offices in St. Paul, Duluth, <br />and St. Cloud. The areas immediately outside the seven <br />county metropolitan area are in somewhat of a vacuum for <br />attention and promotion. The Twin City office, however, <br />stands ready to assist areas like Elk River. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />6 <br />