NORTH COUNTY —— A day-long seminar for employers later this month has one goal: to get more workers out of their cars and into some form of ride sharing.

The "Survive the Drive" program set for March 25 will introduce employers to the economic benefits of ride sharing and will lay out alternative ways people can get to and from their workplaces.

Those alternatives include car pools, van pools, bus and train rides or even biking to work.

The free event sponsored by the San Diego Association of Governments features federal, state and local transportation officials as well as sessions on all the transportation alternatives. Invitations have gone out to more than 4,000 employers.

The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Marriott Del Mar at 11966 El Camino Real.

"Our target is human resources and facilities managers at any company that could benefit from the information," said Allison Richards-Evensen, senior marketing representative for the association of governments, the region's transportation planning agency. "We want to teach employers how to help their employees get out of their cars and into transportation alternatives."

As traffic congestion worsens, particularly on Interstates 5 and 15 in North County, the association and state Department of Transportation are increasing their promotion of ride sharing. According to the latest statistics, close to 80 percent of county residents drive to work alone each day.

The association of governments helps underwrite the cost of van pools with a $400-per-month subsidy for each van. There are currently 418 van pools now in operation countywide with close to 4,000 participants, according to Richards-Evensen.

The association does not track the number of people participating in private car pools.

Pedro Orso-Delgado, director of the state Transportation Department's San Diego region, will start off the event with an update on the $141 million work at the merger of Interstates 5 and 805, a frequent choke point for motorists. Now in its third year, major progress is expected this year.

Other speakers include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Steve Offutt, who will provide an overview on how to implement a "Best Workplaces for Commuters" program sponsored by his agency, and Sandy Boyle, a van-pool operator.

Toward the end of the day, Richards-Evensen and another association official will outline ways to promote a commuter program among employees and will detail the tax benefits for employers.

As of Jan. 1 of this year, the Internal Revenue Service raised the dollar limit that can be excluded from employees gross wages to $105 per month if they take part in a commuter program, an incentive also intended to get more people into mass transit.

Employers who attend the event will be given a "survival kit" filled with information on the various commuting options. For more information or to register for the event, call (619) 699-6988.

Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.