2002
 |
Category:
Ridesharing EarthLink,
Inc.,
|
 |
Listen to one of the radio spots featuring this winner! |
Local site is model for others nationwide
For
some employers with multiple worksites throughout the United States, it
might be difficult to get company management to buy into the idea of a
commute trip reduction program. For the EarthLink, Inc. work site of Bellevue,
not only has management bought into the idea, the Bellevue worksite has
become the standard to which other EarthLink worksites aspire. That is
why EarthLink has earned a 2002 Commuter Challenge Diamond Award for ridesharing.
 |
Jan. 22, 2003 Awards Ceremony
Accepting EarthLink's Diamond Award for Ridesharing are Employee Transportation Coordinator Dorian Yeager and Facilities Services Manager Lori Waters. |
EarthLink has worked to ensure its commute trip reduction program provides a variety of commute options for employees. In fact, 47% of those employees affected by the CTR law now use ridesharing to get to work rather than driving alone. FlexPasses are provided to all full-time employees for free. Vanpool costs are also covered at 100%, and riders can receive an additional incentive of $25 per month for riding in a vanpool with seven or more people. Carpoolers can enjoy free car washes and a $25 per month incentive if they are in a carpool with four or more riders.
Even those employees who bicycle, walk or rollerblade to work are eligible for incentives. EarthLink will give employees up to $150 to purchase a new bike, $100 to purchase new rollerblades, or even a new pair of walking shoes if they use one of these non-motorized commute options.
All new hires are introduced to the program during their orientation process and can get help to find ridesharing partners or determine the transit routes that work best for them. “The CTR program has certainly reduced the amount of employee turnover among users of the program,” said Employee Transportation Coordinator Dorian Yeager. “People that use the program elements are much less likely to leave EarthLink.” Employees are continually kept up to date on the latest ridesharing information through informational emails, flyers, an internal web site and benefits fairs.
EarthLink has shown its commitment to commute trip reduction efforts through the significant financial investments it has made in ensuring the program continues to grow and thrive. EarthLink created the Rideshare Coordinator position to do just that. With a CTR program tailored to the needs of its employees, Yeager has been able to show corporate management that the vanpool program at the Bellevue site is more cost efficient than independently run programs at other EarthLink worksites throughout the United States.
Commute Program
|
*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.