GO MAINE, the statewide ride sharing and trip planning program, relaunched its Way 2 GO MAINE challenge on Saturday, October 1. The How Green Can You Go competition gives green commuters and employers a chance to elevate their alternative travel games; build their own company teams; and vie for incentives, prizes, and bragging rights.

Prizes include a Maine State Park vehicle pass and $200, $100, and $50 gift cards that can be won by commuters using each week's featured mode or by members who join GO MAINE in the month of October.

Way 2 GO MAINE provides GO MAINE members opportunities to save money and have fun while doing so. GO MAINE staffers will be out across the state during the month of October conducting both on-site and virtual promotional events.

"There's been a lot of excitement surrounding the return of the October Way 2 GO MAINE challenge," said Emily Becker, GO MAINE program manager, in a news release. "We're seeing a lot of organizations using Way 2 GO MAINE as a way to jumpstart their commuter options program and encourage employees to think green."

GO MAINE commuters also qualify for the program's Emergency Ride Home Benefit. In the event of a qualified emergency, GO MAINE covers the cost of a ride home from work, a special plus for businesses with participating employees.

"BIW has had a strong tradition of ride sharing since World War II,” said Ray Steen, vice president of human resources at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. “Now, with many new shipbuilders, we are looking for an easy way for new team members to connect with colleagues for ride shares, carpools, and vanpools. GO MAINE offers not only ride matching, but an emergency ride home feature that helps employees with a longer commute feel confident they can get home if something happens."

The GO MAINE statewide ride sharing and trip planning program is administered by the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority. All GO MAINE programs and services are free for individuals and organizations.

More information on the GO MAINE program can be found at GoMaine.org. Organizations interested in organizing their own GO MAINE program are welcome to contact Emily Becker, Program Manager, at emily@gomaine.org.