Trains on Metro’s three busiest rail lines now run every 10 minutes from 6 p.m. to midnight— twice as often as before. The increased service is a pilot project on the Red, Purple and Blue lines through June to boost ridership and better serve entertainment, cultural and sporting venues and restaurants. For details, go to Metro.net.

Need help developing a telework program?

Telework SoCal—a Southern California telecommuting resource—will be offering free, ongoing, one-on-one consultation services to companies that want to develop a telework program for employees. If you are interested in receiving this no-cost assistance—which is being funded by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC)—you must apply by Jan. 31. As many as 15 companies will be selected to participate. To qualify, you may not have offered a formal telework program in the past two years, and you must be willing to designate at least 10 staff to telework no fewer than four days a month for five to six months.

For more information, go to Teleworksocal.com and choose the "about us" option, or call Elham Shirazi at 310.474.2325.

Nope, you can't use your phone here, either

Motorists trying to sneak in a quick phone call while sitting at a red light—figuring that the “no cellphone use while driving” law doesn’t apply—could find themselves getting ticketed.  A recent decision by a state appeals court in San Francisco ruled that brief stops, such as at lights or while idling in traffic, are still considered driving under the 2007 cellphone law.

If you want to make a call, use a hands-free device or —even better—choose a rideshare option that allows you to make better use of your time than sitting alone behind the wheel.

Orange County launches Vanpool Seat Finder

People who work in Orange County and want to vanpool to the office have a new resource:  the Vanpool Seat Finder.  It allows you to search based on your origin, destination or employer name, and provides an instant list of vanpools, along with contact information. Try it at octa.net/Commuters/Vanpool/seats.aspx.

Carpool Loyalty Program to award gift cards monthly

When the Metro ExpressLanes on the 10 and 110 Freeways open next year, not only will carpoolers be allowed free or discounted access (depending on the number of people in the vehicle), but they’ll also qualify to win prizes. The Carpool Loyalty Program automatically enters carpoolers into a monthly drawing for a chance to win one of 20 gift cards valued at $15-$25.  To use the ExpressLanes, carpoolers must install a switchable FasTrack® transponder to self-declare whether they are driving alone, with one passenger, or with two or more. For more information and to get regular updates on the ExpressLanes, go to Metro.net/expresslanes and fill out the Transponder Interest Form.