Category: Diamond Ring, for voluntary CTR program Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle Bob Drewel, Executive Director Mark Gulbranson, COO Grace Foster, Administrative Services Coordinator

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PSRC continues tradition as "part of the solution"

The Puget Sound Regional Council is keenly aware of the need for transportation solutions in our region. The Council is responsible for transportation planning, growth management planning, research and forecasting for King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. This responsibility is further highlighted by the fact that, with only 62 employees, the Puget Sound Regional Council voluntarily complies with the Commute Trip Reduction Law. The organization’s commitment to trip reduction has resulted in numerous Special Recognition Awards from Commuter Challenge in the past and this year, brings the Council its first Diamond Ring Award for Organizational Leadership & Outstanding Program Over Time.

The Puget Sound Regional Council has offered transportation benefits to its employees since 1994. It selected a central and accessible location for its offices near bus and commuter rail lines and the ferry terminal.

"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 $65 per month and provides FlexPasses to all interested staff at no charge. It also provides Guaranteed Ride Home in case employees unexpectedly need to work overtime or leave work early. The organization has no employee parking, however the City of Seattle provides carpool parking nearby.

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, former 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 that 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. “SOV” stands for single-occupant vehicle, and “CTR” for commute trip reduction. 

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