Gov. Sonny Perdue on Friday encouraged state agencies and businesses to expand alternative commute programs. Perdue was speaking at a luncheon celebrating the 100th vanpool started by the Cumberland Community Improvement District, a self-taxing business district that funds transportation improvements in the district.

According to Perdue's office, more than 30,000 state employees participate in commute alternatives like teleworking, flex scheduling and compressed workweeks, a practice that takes almost 5 million travel miles a month off the roads.

Perdue also gave a plug to the Clean Air Campaign, which offers $3 a day temporary incentives to convince solo drivers to switch to a greener commute.

"The 100th vanpool for Cumberland CID's Commuter Club shows that attitudes about commuting are changing," Perdue said, according to a statement released by his office. "In this era of record high gas prices and seemingly endless commutes, residents and business owners are taking action to reduce congestion, save money and lessen emissions into our air."