Commuter transportation services, inc., Conducted a 6-month pilot project to determine the impact of variable work hour schedules onridesharing and organizational effectiveness in ventura county. Theresults of the study revealed a significant relationship between ridesharing and the implementation of the variable work hour programs.At the 6-month juncture, ridesharing rates had increased from 8 to 113% and the cost of driving alone had decreased from 82% to 77%. Chi-square results indicated a significant decrease in commute time for participants. When considering the results of the variable work hour program on the individual and the organization, the results of the study reveal positive relationships between participation and self-reported increases in productivity, job satisfaction, satisfaction with schedule, morale, and ability to facilitate child care. Supervisor responses indicated similar, positive changes with respect to productivity and job satisfaction. Chi-square analysis revealed that participants on the 4/40 schedule had the largest increases in productivity, job satisfaction, and satisfaction with schedule; participants on the flex-time schedule reported more convenience facilitating child care. The results of this study have positive implications forthe use of variable work hour schedules, which can be an effective strategy for increasing ridesharing and for improving organizationaleffectiveness. This paper appears in transportation research recordno. 1321, Rideshare programs: evaluation of effectiveness, trip reduction programs, demand management, and commuter attitudes 1991.
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