Perimeter CIDs Launch ‘Rapid Ride’ to Expand Commuter Access with Vanpool Program

The Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (Perimeter CIDs), in partnership with Commute with Enterprise and in conjunction with the long-standing vanpool program through the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL), has launched Rapid Ride, a new vanpooling pilot program designed to provide employees commuting to the Perimeter area with a cost-effective and dependable transportation alternative.

Developed in response to shifting regional transit patterns, Rapid Ride offers a new option for how metro Atlanta workers can access one of the Southeast’s most concentrated employment centers. The program supports longer-distance travel by forming shared rides based on where participants live and when they work.

“Our goal is to keep Perimeter connected to the regional talent pool while offering more practical and affordable options for employees and employers alike,” said Ann Hanlon, Executive Director of the Perimeter CIDs. “Rapid Ride represents an investment in reliable access to jobs, especially for those who cannot access existing transit options due to home locations or work schedules.”

Affordable, All-Inclusive Commute for Perimeter Employees

Each Rapid Ride vanpool brings together 4 to 8 riders with similar schedules and home locations. Riders pay a flat monthly fare of $75, which covers all vehicle expenses, including insurance, fuel, maintenance, and roadside assistance. Express Lane access is also included.

The low-cost commuting option is made possible through funding from the Perimeter CIDs, which has committed over $380,000 to subsidize vanpool costs. The ATL also supports commuters with a regional vanpool program, assisting with formation and offsetting some of the associated costs. This partnership will reduce vanpool startup costs and subsidize the monthly fare for riders, allowing participants to pay a fraction of the $170 monthly out-of-pocket expenses that commuters across the nation typically face (Coast, The Cost of Commuting Around the U.S.).

Perimeter Connects, the Perimeter CIDs’ commute program, in partnership with Commute with Enterprise, will manage the Rapid Ride program by working with employers and commuters to match riders and form vanpools based on where people live and when they work.

“We’re launching the program as a pilot, but our goal is long-term impact and a lasting option for the Perimeter market,” said Nikki Washington, Perimeter Connects Program Manager. “We help match employees into vanpools based on where they live and when they work, so the service fits into their routine. It’s a simple way to make commuting more affordable and accessible.”

“Vanpooling gives commuters time back in their day and helps them save on transportation costs,” said Sirus Karimi, Vice President of Commute with Enterprise. “We work closely with employers and public agency partners to offer convenient vanpool programs that support more sustainable commuting, help fill transit service gaps, and reduce congestion while helping employers offer a competitive benefit that can attract and retain talent.”

 

Sign-Ups Now Open for Pilot Routes

Rapid Ride is now accepting sign-ups. Service will launch in corridors with the highest levels of interest from employees traveling to Perimeter.

For more information or to register interest, visit: www.perimeterconnects.com/perimeter-rapid-ride.

 

RapidRideVanpool3

About Perimeter Community Improvement Districts

For more than two decades, the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (Perimeter CIDs) has been leading the charge to bring vital transportation improvements that enhance mobility and access within the Perimeter district, an “edge city” where Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven converge. Representing both the DeKalb (Central) Perimeter CID and Fulton Perimeter CID, the Perimeter CIDs are self-taxing districts that useadditional commercial property taxes to help accelerate needed transportation and infrastructure improvement projects. 

Learn more: PerimeterATL.com/perimeter-cids/.

About Commute with Enterprise Part of Enterprise Mobility

Commute with Enterprise is one of the largest and most cost-effective vanpool providers in the U.S. In 2024, Commute with Enterprise served more than 60,000 commuters, took more than 50,000 single-occupancy vehicles off the road each day, helped eliminate more than 1 billion commuter miles in the U.S, and reduced 405,000+ metric tons of tailpipe CO2e*. This commuting solution offers customizable vanpool programs to help overcome commuting and transit desert challenges.

*Estimates based on 2023 Enterprise reporting and U.S EPA Calculator, and assuming participants previously drove alone.

About ATL (Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority):

The ATL was created by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session to provide coordinated transit planning and funding for the metro Atlanta region. The ATL is responsible for developing the ATL Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. The ATL is also charged with creating a unified regional transit system brand. Effective July 1, 2020, the ATL was legislatively authorized to oversee the state’s Xpress regional commuter transit system and the Atlanta region’s vanpool system. The population of metro Atlanta is growing rapidly and projected to add an additional 2.5 million residents by 2040. The ATL is a critical step towards more efficient and effective transit and mobility in the region. 

For more information on Xpress and the ATL, visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Sent on a Goose Chase: How Perimeter Pursuit Challenged Residents to Explore the Neighborhood

Photo of man holding up a mobile phone to take a photo of a mural on a building

June 12th, 2024

If you were out in Perimeter last spring and saw people taking pictures of local landmarks, snapping selfies on transit, or posing with a giant inflatable goose, you were probably witnessing the Perimeter Pursuit.

Perimeter Pursuit was a district-wide scavenger hunt that lasted from late March through the end of April. Participants were sent on a “goose chase” around Perimeter to discover hidden treasures, learn fun facts about the neighborhood, and explore all that the district has to offer (all with the help of the challenge’s mascot, Peri the Goose).

This new initiative was a great success, attracting hundreds of people who work or live in Perimeter to participate in the scavenger hunt.

A participant in Perimeter Pursuit taking a picture with the challenge’s mascot, Peri the Goose.

On a Mission to Discover Perimeter

Perimeter Pursuit, which is run by Perimeter Connects, involved completing a variety of different missions, all related to the Perimeter area.

These missions included everything from answering trivia questions about the region to spending a day volunteering in the community. Participants discovered unique historic spots, tried out Perimeter’s transit options, and even had an excuse to sample a local independent coffee shop. 

Each mission was worth a different number of points depending on its difficulty. Points could be cashed in for prizes, including hotel stays and gift cards for local spas and restaurants. 

A grand total of 328 people signed up to participate in Perimeter Pursuit, completing 2,351 mission submissions and earning an average of 1,290 points. 

The event launched with a kick-off celebration that involved 18 employers and property managers, one of the biggest events of the kind that Perimeter has ever run.

Perimeter Pursuit player Jason Lee who along with Brooke Prosser were the grand prize winners of Sandy Springs' Ultimate Staycation Package.

Building Community Connection

Now that the Perimeter Pursuit is over, participants report that they had a blast. 

Each mission was designed to bring the people who live and work in Perimeter closer to their community in some small way, and by all accounts, it worked – participants report that they enjoyed getting to know the region, and that it made them feel more excited about their neighborhood.

“This was by far one of the best experiences since I’ve been here in Dunwoody. I’ve been a resident over 20 years, but in doing these missions, I discovered places and little gems I didn’t even know existed,”

In addition to revealing hidden gems, Perimeter Pursuit encouraged participants to take a closer look at their community as they moved through it, appreciating its many novelties. Many participants completed the missions in teams, which fostered even more community connection.

Perimeter Pursuit participants completing a mission by carpooling to their Perimeter workplace together.

Even the prizes featured local businesses, keeping winners interacting with the community even after the event was done. 

Perimeter Pursuit proved to be a great way to encourage curiosity about Perimeter and help participants recognize the value of the place they live and work in. And – perhaps most importantly of all – it was a lot of fun.

Community-wide events like Perimeter Pursuit are just some of the benefits Perimeter Connects brings to the region. Learn more about how Perimeter Connects works to make Perimeter a great place to live, work, and play.

Perimeter Pursuit

Explore Perimeter & Win Prizes!

 March 25th – April 30th

Embark on an exhilarating adventure with Perimeter Pursuit, a community discovery challenge hitting the streets of Perimeter on March 25th! Lace up your walking shoes, download the Goosechase app, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with Perimeter Pursuit.

Groove on the Move: ‘Rhythm + Rails’ Brings Eclectic Sounds to Riders Across Perimeter MARTA Stations 

In a symphony of wheels and melody, Perimeter Connects orchestrated ‘Rhythm + Rails’, a unique celebration for Perimeter’s commuters. Over three electrifying days, Perimeter’s three MARTA stations—Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Medical Center—transformed into concert venues with performances from talented local musicians. Scroll on for sights + sounds from this one-of-a-kind musical journey.

 

Shagadelics at Duwoody Station


Re-live the Rhythm with @Perimeter_ATL on Instagram

In a district known for housing the best professional talent, ‘Rhythm + Rails’ bridged the gap with creative talent giving everyone a chance to connect after their 9-to-5. From soulful rock to folk and pop, the live musical acts wowed the crowds at Medical Center, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs Marta Stations. The artist lineup included: 

If you missed the live performances or just want to re-live the musical magic, head over to our Instagram @Perimeter_ATL to view a few recap videos, in partnership with Atlanta Transit Girl who captured the heart, soul, and good vibes of Rhythm and Rails. 

‘Rhythm + Rails’ Paves the Way for Commuter Connections 

‘Rhythm + Rails’ wasn’t just about the music; it was a movement towards championing alternative transit options in a district that boasts unparalleled access and direct connections for the region via Perimeter’s three MARTA stations. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Perimeter Connects provided over 200 10-trip MARTA passes to new and current riders who registered online during a two-week promotional period. This initiative supports the broader goal of advancing more accessible and sustainable commuting experiences in the Perimeter district. 

“Hearing live music as I approached my station and listening while I waited for my train home was a real treat,” said Amy I also appreciated the free 10-trip pass!” – Amy Sheffield, ChildPlus Software

Jenn Cornell at Dunwoody Station

Perimeter Connects, Perimeter’s comprehensive commuting program made possible by the Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (Perimeter CIDs) and the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), partners with Perimeter’s employers to provide discounted transit pass programs, significantly alleviating the enduring pain points associated with daily commutes. If you’re an employer looking to enhance your employees’ commuting experience, promote sustainable transit options, and foster a vibrant workplace culture, Perimeter Connects is here to help. Connect with us to explore how you can bring discounted transit pass programs and unique initiatives like ‘Rhythm + Rails’ to your workforce, making the journey to and from work a highlight of their day.