Share a ride, walk to work, telecommute, take the bus or ride your bike. Not sure how? Click below on the car, walking, telecommuting, bus and bicycling symbols to find out what alternative transportation services are available in Southern NH.
Car
Wondering how to get stated? First, you will need to create an account with the NH Rideshare Portal. Accounts within the portal are confidential and only the contact information you choose will be distributed to other users looking for carpooling matches.
Once your account is created, you will need to submit your commuting route and preferences to be matched up with other commuters in your area. You then have the choice to contact who you’d like to commute with and see if they’re a good fit.
Southern NH Park and Ride Locations
Hooksett Park and Ride
North Londonderry Park and Ride
Londonderry Exit 4 Park and Ride
Windham Park and Ride
Walk
Walking for part or all of your commute is a great way to save money, help the environment, reduce stress and make our communities more livable. You’ll spend less time sitting in your car contributing to traffic and more time being active outdoors. You may find there are many short trips in your day-to-day that can be done without your car. Give it a try!
Complete Streets Toolkit
Throughout 2016, SNHPC has been preparing a Complete Streets toolkit which has included planning/policy guidance, design/engineering standards, and regulatory land use guidance. A Complete Streets Steering Committee made up of state and local agencies, professionals, municipal staff, transportation coalitions, and other stakeholders was involved throughout the project.
A pilot program provided three communities in the SNHPC region with a variety of project/program opportunities including:
- Policy/resolution development
- Design standards
- Education/outreach
- Pop-up planning initiative (demonstration project)
Benefits can be recognized in all municipalities to which complete streets principles are applied, regardless of size. One of the goals of this program is to accomplish a pilot project in at least one urban, one suburban, and one rural community.
Regional Trails Coordinating Council
The primary goal of the Regional Trails Coordinating Council is to assist member organizations in the development and implementation of a comprehensive trail plan. The Regional Trails Coordinating Council strives to connect existing and planned trail networks in the region by providing a forum for cooperation and collaboration among trail organizations. Meetings are held 3-4 times annually, and bring together a diverse group of stakeholders from Central and Southern NH. The 2012 Regional Trails Plan is currently in the process of being updated.
Telecommute
Telecommuting, or working from home or a remote location, is an increasingly popular option that not only cuts all costs and time spent on commuting, but can also improve your job satisfaction and productivity. Whether it be every day, once or twice a week, occasionally, or in emergency situations, telecommuting might be the right choice for you!
Some of the benefits include:
- Increased productivity
- Improve job satisfaction
- Reduce stress
- Employees work during peak performance times
- Reduce the demand for parking and office space
- Reduce wear and tear on commuting vehicle
- Reduce commuting costs
- Decrease traffic congestion and air pollution
Public Transit
Hoping on public transit is a great way of getting you out from behind the wheel, saving you money, reducing the stress of sitting in traffic, and giving you time to relax.
Some of the benefits of public transit include:
- Reduced parking demand and transportation issues for employers
- Save money on gas and maintenance on a daily commuter vehicle
- Make travel time productive
- Live a healthier lifestyle with additional exercise and less stress
- Reduce local traffic congestion
- Decrease air pollution
MTA
The Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) provides fixed route and paratransit service for the residents of Manchester. The existing MTA fixed route system consists of eleven routes providing scheduled service Monday through Friday. Saturday service is provided on nine of these routes. MTA Stepsaver service provides curb-to-curb paratransit service for the disabled, elderly, and mobility impaired. Non-stop service is available from Manchester to Concord and Nashua.
For more information on MTA, please visit: http://www.mtabus.org/about-mta/faqs/
Contact Info: http://www.mtabus.org or 623-8801
CART
The Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation (CART) is a curb-to-curb transportation system serving the towns of Chester, Danville, Derry, Hampstead, Londonderry, Salem and Windham.
CART service operates Monday thru Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Service is not available on weekends or holidays.
For complete details please explore the CART website.
Bike
Biking and Walking for part or all of your commute is a great way to save money, help the environment, and make our communities more livable. You’ll spend less time sitting in your car contributing to traffic and more time being active outdoors. You may find that there are many short trips in your day-to-day that can be done without your car. Give it a try!
Thinking of biking to work for the first time? Here’s how to get started.
Get a bike and test it out: Make sure your bike fits you and meets your needs. This does not necessarily mean spending lots of money on a fancy rig, especially if your bike commute is short. Visit a bike shop, talk with a bicycling friend, and give your bike a test run or two ahead of time. Joining in a group ride with the Granite State Wheelmen is a good way to get introduced to bicycling.
Find a route: The route you choose to ride may be different from the route you would take by car. You may choose to deviate from the most direct route to avoid traffic, hills, and to seek out more enjoyable route. If you’re unsure about your route, scout it out ahead of time by car or with an experienced bicyclist. If your commute is too far to bike, consider driving part way and riding the remainder. Park and Ride facilities are a good place to leave your car. Another option is to drive to work, bike home, then bike to work the next day, and drive home.
End of Trip Facilities: Make sure you have adequate bicycle parking at your workplace, and a bicycle lock. If your commute is longer than a few miles, a shower at your work place is a good thing. If you work in Downtown Concord, the YMCA is an option.
Safety: Be sure to have lights and reflectors if you’ll be riding in the dark. A helmet and bright clothing are always a good idea. Know that bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as cars on New Hampshire roadways.
Bike commuting tips from League of American Bicyclists
Bike Manchester
Bike Manchester is a grassroots advocacy group that, since forming in the fall of 2013, has helped to bring about the city’s first bike lanes and received a grant to start a 50/50 bike rack program, among other positive bicycling developments in Manchester. Meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.
Becoming a member of Bike Manchester shows that you understand the issues facing bicyclists in the community and you’re committed to making bicycling a safer and more enjoyable experience in the city. Bike Manchester will leverage every cent of membership dollars to build a stronger bicycling community and engage in advocacy efforts focused on bicycling infrastructure, safety, promotion, and education in the Queen City.
Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire
The Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire is a 501c(3) not for profit organization with a mission to develop a network of safe biking and walking routes throughout NH that connect neighborhoods, schools, businesses and points of interest in order to encourage recreation, health and wellness, alternative transportation and create a greater sense of community. Additionally, the Bike-Walk Alliance of NH promotes safe cycling and walking by educating residents, businesses and government on the advantages of active transportation.
Take your bike on public transportation! Most Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) buses are equipped with easy to use bicycle racks. Contact MTA (http://www.mtabus.org, 623-8801) for more information.
Resources:
Bicycle Parking Locations in Manchester, NH: http://www.bikemht.com/bicycle-rack-locations/
Bicycling Resources:
Bicycle Commuting Tips http://bikeleague.org/content/commuting
Rules of the Road: https://www.nh.gov/dot/programs/bikeped/documents/RoadWarriorbrochure2009_links.pdf
Rail Trails in the SNHPC region:
www.derryrailtrail.org
www.goffstownrailtrail.org/
www.londonderrytrailways.org/
www.manchestermoves.org/
www.nbrailtrail.com/
www.windhamrailtrail.org/
Hover over the icons above for more information.
