Enterprise Rent-A-Car is expanding its Rideshare services in the Atlanta metro area, providing environmental benefits and a hassle-free, cost-saving transportation alternative, the company announced March 11.

According to a 2008 ranking by Forbes magazine, Atlanta has some of the worst traffic among the 75 largest cities in America, with commuters spending an average of 60 hours a year on the road. The study reported nearly 13 percent of Atlanta commuters spend more than an hour getting to work. And, according to the American Lung Association, the city ranks as one of the nation’s top 10 for air pollution.

“Ridesharing addresses these issues by helping to alleviate traffic congestion and parking problems, reduce commuter time and costs related to driving to work, and benefit the environment through lower fuel consumption and reduced vehicle emissions,” said Dan Miller, vice president and general manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Atlanta.

Within the next year, Enterprise hopes to nearly double its fleet of vans in the greater Atlanta area, creating a vanpooling capacity that’s equivalent to taking 2,200 cars off the road, Miller said.

In Atlanta, Los Angeles and other markets around the country, Enterprise helps companies create vanpool solutions for their employees, transporting more than 25,000 riders per day. Under a typical company program, seven to 15 co-workers ride together, each paying one low monthly rate. Enterprise provides a late-model, well-equipped vehicle, comprehensive maintenance, roadside assistance, and insurance. Rideshare participants take turns driving.