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Who We Are
Commuter Challenge is a non-profit organization
that has been fostering public/private partnerships to find solutions
to our region's transportation
issues for over 15 years.
Our Mission
Commuter Challenge works to improve regional
mobility and protect and sustain the environment in the Puget
Sound region.
We do this by:
Collaborating with public agencies to provide information, technical
assistance, and incentives to employers and employees to help reduce
the number of vehicles on the road;
Working with public and private entities to develop and implement
innovative programs to encourage changes in individual behavior;
and
Proposing and supporting policies that offer real solutions to transportation
problems.
Our Activities
Employer Recognition. The Commuter Challenge recognition
program will continue in 2005-2006. Criteria will pay close attention
to those worksites that have either made progress toward or met
state mandated CTR goals in Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) reduction. Management
commitment to reducing employee commute trips also will be a focus.
The program will continue to recognize smaller organizations not
affected by the Commute Trip Reduction Law that deserve recognition
for their voluntary employee transportation programs.
Policy Shaping Opportunities. King County employers will
be kept informed of opportunities to speak up on proposed policies
and legislation at local, state and national levels that will aid
their efforts to reduce commute trips.
Workshops/Forums/Committees. Throughout the year, Commuter
Challenge will invite business representatives to participate in
various transportation workshops, forums, and committees to address
the congestion issues in our region.
Telework and Flexible Schedules. Many employers find telework, compressed workweeks and flextime are valuable tools to help recruit and retain top-notch employees, increase productivity, extend customer service hours, boost employee morale, reduce the need for office space and parking, and improve emergency preparedness. Free consultations are available from Commuter Challenge by contacting Steve Gerritson at 206-389-8656. In June 2005, Commuter
Challenge kicked off an outreach program in
partnership with King County Metro that includes new and updated case
studies, marketing materials, online tools and workshops.
Regional $mart Commute Program. This innovative program
provided incentives to employees at worksites not affected by
the States CTR law from October 2004 to March 2005. Participants
committed to using an alternative commute mode for at least thirteen
days over a three-month period to qualify for cash incentives.
The more days the employee used the alternative commute mode,
the more cash he or she earned, up to a maximum of $192. Registration
and usage tracking were done via www.SmartCommuteNW.com.
A follow-up survey reported 96% of respondents plan to continue
using alternative commute modes even though they are no longer
receiving an incentive! We eagerly await final pay-out of all
incentives earned upon receipt of the remaining performance
grant funds from Washington State Department of Transporation.
Educational Materials. Commuter Challenge publishes a quarterly
newsletter, The Pacesetter, which is available both electronically
and in hard copy. The organization also maintains www.commuterchallenge.org
and www.TheWinners.com,
both of which contain information about the Diamond Award and
Pacesetter winners, telework resources, tools and case studies, Pacesetter articles,
information about grants and incentives, and links to valuable transportation resources.
Photo Courtesy of King County Metro Transit
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Our partners:
City
of Seattle, represented by Eric Mamroth
East King County cities of Bellevue,
Issaquah, Kirkland,
Mercer Island, and
Redmond, represented by Kim
Van Ekstrom of Redmond
enterpriseSeattle (formerly the Economic Development Council of
Seattle & King County), represented by John Powers
Greater Redmond Transportation Management
Association, (seat currently vacant)
King County, represented by David
Lantry and Carol Merrill
Puget Sound Clean Air Agency,
represented by Alice Collingwood
Puget Sound Regional Council, represented
by Charles Howard
South King County cities of Algona,
Burien, Des
Moines, Enumclaw,
Federal Way, Kent, SeaTac
and Tukwila, (seat currently
vacant)
Washington State Department of Transportation,
represented by John Shadoff and Brian Lagerberg
Additional Assistance provided by: Eldridge & Company, Inc, marketing
counsel and creative services; Partners in Design, graphic design
Our staff:
Steve Gerritson, Executive Director
206-389-8656
sgerritson@commuterchallenge.org
Rose Marie Eades, Program Editor
206-431-8939 (home office)
reades@commuterchallenge.org
Maggi Lubov, Program Coordinator
206-389-8660
mlubov@commuterchallenge.org
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