PSRC Commute Profile

Small organization makes big impact
Transportation is the key at Puget Sound Regional Council. The Council is responsible for transportation planning, growth management planning, research and forecasting for King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties.

Jan. 30, 2002 Awards Ceremony

Accepting the Puget Sound Regional Council's Diamond Award are Bob Edwards, President, Executive Board; and Grace Foster, Employee Transportation Coordinator.

With only 56 employees, the Puget Sound Regional Council voluntarily complies with the Commute Trip Reduction Law. The law, which began in 1993, requires organizations with 100 or more full-time employees to implement employee transportation programs.

The Puget Sound Regional Council has offered transportation benefits to its employees since 1994. The Council's dedication to transportation has earned it a Special Recognition Commuter Challenge Diamond Award for the third time.

“Because of the work we do, our employees are keenly aware of the impacts of our own transportation choices,” said Employee Transportation Coordinator Grace Foster. “Our staff is committed to seeking alternative modes of transportation, not just in their work but in their personal lives. Practically everyone takes the bus to work, bikes, walks or takes the ferry.”

The Puget Sound Regional Council subsidizes all alternative commute modes up to $54 a month. It also provides Guaranteed Ride Home in case employees unexpectedly need to work overtime or leave work early. The organization has no employee parking.

Bicyclists and walkers have access to covered and uncovered bike spaces and to showers and lockers. The Council also allows employees to work compressed work weeks, flextime and to telework.

“We decided to voluntarily take part in the Commute Trip Reduction Law because we believe in what it is trying to achieve,” said Mary McCumber, executive director. “The analysis we do of the region's growth and traffic projections remind us daily of what an important issue this is. We provide information all the time to organizations which are doing their part for commute trip reduction. It is important that we show them we are part of the solution too.”

*Some definitions: An “ETC” is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program; “PM” is the transportation program manager; and “CEO” refers to the top management-level person at the worksite. “SOV” stands for single-occupant vehicle, and “CTR” for commute trip reduction.