Countywide : Staggered Work Hours, Car Pools in Traffic Plan

Motorists might eventually see traffic drop to the levels of banking and government holidays under a plan submitted Monday to the Orange County Transportation Commission.

The voluntary program would set countywide goals: All businesses employing 100 people or more would have 20% of their work force either commute during non-peak traffic hours or use transit or ride-sharing within two years, with the percentage increasing to 30% within three years.

The program, which has been discussed for several months by commission staff members and representatives from Costa Mesa, Cypress and Fullerton, as well as the county, would have no provisions for sanctions, unlike those adopted recently by Los Angeles, which impose fines of up to $800 a year on companies.

However, commission officials said Orange County cities may provide incentives for compliance, such as reduced taxes and road-improvement contributions, and some cities may adopt sanctions on their own.

Orange County now has about 2,000 companies that employ 100 or more people--about 60% of the county’s 1.05 million jobholders.

Officials estimate that 12% of the county’s commuters share rides.

During the Arab oil embargo of 1973, ride-sharing rose to 20%, according to county officials.

The transportation commission will seek comment from business and civic leaders during the next 30 days, with a vote scheduled next month on the proposed Traffic Reduction Incentive Program.