Rideshare, a division of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments that promotes sustainable transportation options, recently launched San Luis Obispo County's 511 traveler information service.

This new telephone service and website feature provides information on real-time traffic conditions, bus trip planning, ridesharing and more.

Local commuters now have 24-hour access to plan their commute trip online at rideshare.org or over the phone by calling 5-1-1. Users can call 5-1-1 from any cellular or landline phone at no additional charge other than the user's regular phone carrier contract charges. 

Rideshare.org and 511 provide real time traffic information on incidents and traffic hazards reported by the California Highway Patrol in San Luis Obispo County and the City of Santa Maria. In addition, the website links to Caltrans live traffic cameras. With 24-hour access to these tools, commuters can avoid congestion by planning their commute trip before they depart.

The bus section of rideshare.org provides bus trip planning trough Google Transit, an online bus pass outlet and transit schedules. The public transportation menu at 511 provides an alternative to remembering several phone numbers for Dial-a-Ride, Senior Shuttle and fixed-route transit. Users can now call 5-1-1 or go to rideshare.org and be directly connected to all of the public transportation options in San Luis Obispo County.

The ridesharing menu on 511 provides information on carpool, vanpool, bicycle commuting, Park & Ride Lots and offers a direct connection to Rideshare staff for personalized trip planning assistance.

511 also provides live Spanish speaking assistance Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit rideshare.org.