An often cited reason for not using alternative transportation is the unpredictable: what if I need a car for something unexpected? A non-profit is now offering guaranteed rides to those who ride transit, bike, or walk, up to $100 per year.
Ecology Action, a nonprofit in Santa Cruz, is hoping to encourage more alternative commuters by offering them the comfort that if they need a car for an unexpected reason, they can have one. The "RideSurance" program would cost commuters $24 a year. For that price, commuters get a voucher for $100 of cab rides, bus passes, or rental cars to be used in the event of an emergency.
The program is currently subsidized by a grant from the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District. Coordinators hope RideSurance will someday pay for itself, or at least require minimal subsidy.
FULL STORY: Commute solution: Insurance for alternative transportation users?

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service