Ask.com attempts to ease traffic pain, at least for a day

Bellevue commuters into Seattle may get at least a one-day pick-me-up from a promotion sponsored by online search database Ask.com.

Bellevue commuters into Seattle may get at least a one-day pick-me-up from a promotion sponsored by online search database Ask.com.

A poll that began May 1, asks residents to choose from three options: dealing with morning traffic, problems getting to and from Mariners games or a scarcity of wading pools for kids in the summer.

Oakland, Calif-based Ask.com will provide a temporary solution for the winning option as part of a new marketing campaign to help the site become more involved in communities nationwide.

“We want to show the community a little love, and while we can’t permanently do away with those 520 bridge tolls or promise more sunshine, we can make their days a little easier,” said Valerie Combs, a spokeswoman for Ask.com.

If the daily commute is picked, Cafe Vita will partner with Ask.com to offer a “pop-up coffee shop” for one morning at a number of park and ride locations throughout the area. If it’s the baseball option, Ask.com will pay for shuttles and other forms of transportation such as pedi-cabs to take fans to a number of locations throughout the city. If wading pools win, Ask.com will chip in to keep various central pools open longer to keep people cooler.

People can visit www.seattleasks.com to vote.