Green Raiteros Connects Rural Californians to Vital Services
Indigenous Ridesharing Arrives in Heart of Agriculture
Huron, CA (October 12, 2018) – Today marks the official launch of the Green Raiteros ridesharing program in California’s San Joaquin Valley. A ribbon cutting ceremony here today included music, food, regional elected officials, a Raitero driver and client, and representatives from Latino Environmental Advancement & Policy Institute (LEAP), EVgo, as well as other entities who have helped make this service possible.
The Green Raiteros program connects predominantly Latino and agricultural families in central California to Fresno, via an EV ridesharing service designed to offer rural Valley residents on-demand transportation to and from critical services. The program is an evolution of an informal, self-organized system that local farm workers have used for decades as an alternative to the six-hour round-trip bus ride between Huron and Fresno.
“This is a proud moment for my hometown,” said Rey Leon, founder and executive director of The LEAP Institute. “Green Raiteros will increase access to public health, education, and the economic empowerment for rural families. The Green Raiteros program helps address climate, environmental, health, and transportation justice issues all at once.”
“EVgo is thrilled to be a partner with the LEAP Institute in bringing EV charging to the Green Raiteros Project,” said Cathy Zoi, EVgo’s CEO. “EVgo believes strongly in the mission of ‘Electric for All’ and Green Raiteros is a wonderful example of innovative ways to expand access to electric vehicles in the Valley to get a win-win-win for climate, economic benefits, and the community as a whole.”
The Green Raiteros program launches with two electric vehicles and veteran retired farmworker Raiteros (volunteer drivers). The program hopes to expand with more electric vehicles and more employment opportunities in the future. Riders can book a Raiteros via phone 559-900-2656, by visiting the Green Raiteros office, and soon by using an app.
Green Raiteros drivers will be provided insurance via the program and will be reimbursed for miles driven.
EVgo is supporting the Green Raiteros Pilot Project with a new charging station in Huron featuring 10 public, Level 2 charging hubs. 11th Hour, the grant-making arm of The Schmidt Family Foundation building resilient systems for food, water, and human health is also a supporter. EVgo is also installing an additional charging station in Central Fresno and is planning to install additional charging capacity in the City of Huron.
Today’s launch is the result of a partnership between the Latino Environmental Advancement & Policy Institute (LEAP), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, that working with San Joaquin Valley communities to achieve education equity, economic, climate and environmental justice, EVgo, America’s largest public fast charging network for electric vehicles (EVs). The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) provided the business plan for the Green Raiteros project.
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Green Raiteros
Green Raiteros is a non-profit rural ride-sharing service that builds on an “indigenous ride-sharing” transportation service that has existed for many decades in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley. Green Raiteros will provide cost-effective transportation to underserved, farmworker communities to help increase their economic and health opportunities while reducing air pollution and greenhouse gasses by using electric vehicles.
LEAP Institute
The Latino Environmental Advancement & Policy Institute (LEAP) works with Valley communities towards education equity, economic, climate, and environmental justice through leadership development, advocacy, and policy.
EVgo
EVgo is America’s Largest Public Fast Charging Network. EVgo’s network of more than 1000 fast chargers and more than 1000 Level 2 chargers located in 34 states provides charging to EV drivers on the go. EVgo’s chargers are in convenient, high-traffic locations where demand for EV charging is highest. To find out more, or to join the EVgo network, visit EVgo.com. Connect with EVgo on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
SUMC
SUMC is a non-profit, public interest organization dedicated to creating a multimodal transportation system the works for everyone. By fostering collaboration among public and private sectors, encouraging the sharing of transportation assets, piloting programs, conducting research, and providing policy and technical expertise, SUMC seeks to extend the benefits of shared mobility for all.
Contact:
MEDIA: Brian Smith, 415-320-9384, brian@bpspr.com
EVgo: Michael Blenner, 347-439-2158, michael.blenner@berlinrosen.com
Green Raiteros Office: 559-900-2656 ext. 504 www.greenraiteros.org