Bell Atlantic Recognized by Secretary of Transportation for Commuting Programs

Bell Atlantic Recognized by Secretary of Transportation for Commuting Programs

Event Marks the 20th Anniversary of CARAVAN for Commuters

October 22, 1998

BOSTON -- Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Patrick J.
Moynihan has recognized Bell Atlantic for its efforts to promote car and
vanpooling to Massachusetts commuters.

Bell Atlantic was honored for promoting high-occupancy vehicle travel,
and collaborating regularly with CARAVAN for Commuters, Inc., various
transportation management associations and other employers.

The company was cited during 20^th anniversary ceremonies for
CARAVAN, a statewide commuter services organization.

Bell Atlantic has long been a supporter of high-occupancy vehicle travel in
Massachusetts, and was an early advocate of vanpooling in the
Commonwealth. Many of the company's employees are long-time riders
in vanpools.

Three years ago, Bell Atlantic developed its commuter program in
response to the Massachusetts Ridesharing Regulation. That regulation
requires Massachusetts companies to develop a program to reduce the
number of commuters who drive alone to work locations where there are
250 or more employees. Bell Atlantic actively promotes the company's
program to approximately 8,000 employees in ten buildings.

The program helps employees find carpool partners, get a guaranteed ride
home if an emergency arises on a ridesharing day and take advantage of
regularly posted MBTA schedules and information to promote use of
public transportation . The company also has a full-time transportation
coordinator and sponsors transportation fairs and events to inform
employees about their options.

Bell Atlantic is a member of five transportation management associations
(TMAs) in Massachusetts: the Andover TMA, the Artery Business
Committee TMA, the Lowell TMA, the Marlborough TMA and the
MetroWest TMA. TMAs are independent, non-profit, consensus-oriented
public/private partnerships that work on transportation issues in a specific
geographic area.

CARAVAN for Commuters, Inc. is Massachusetts statewide commuter
services organization. CARAVAN provides assistance to commuters,
companies, and Transportation Management Associations throughout the
Commonwealth. A private non-profit organization, CARAVAN receives
its funding from the Massachusetts Highway Department and the U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
CARAVAN educates and informs commuters and business leaders on the
cost, convenience, economic and environmental benefits of commuting
alternatives through targeted marketing outreach.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With 42 million telephone access lines and eight
million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are
premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market
leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory
information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest
investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations
and investments in 23 countries.