Sound Transit Commute Profile

Representing Sound Transit (From left to right): Betty Laurs, Jan Luedtke.

Employees “walk the talk”
The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority,
better known as “Sound Transit,” was established on January 1, 1997 by voters in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Headquartered in downtown Seattle, the agency's 10-year plan is to create a regional transportation system in the Puget Sound region. Employees at Sound Transit are dedicated to using transit as their major mode of transportation, and they “walk the talk.” That commitment has helped to make Sound Transit a 1999 Diamond Award winner.

The agency's commute trip reduction program is simple but effective. From day one, all employees have been issued a free FlexPass to encourage commuting via transit. Commuters who travel by ferry receive monthly ferry passes. There are agency vehicles available for work-related trips, and in case of personal emergency or illness, all employees who use alternative commute modes are guaranteed a free ride home.

Recently, Sound Transit relocated to the newly renovated Union Station Building, near the Kingdome, where parking is available nearby for only $7 a day. There was some concern the convenient, less expensive parking would encourage employees to drive alone to work. But employees' commitment to commute alternatives seems constant.

“Our employees have an understanding of the bigger picture,” says Jan Luedtke, employee transportation coordinator. “If we don't use public transportation, how can we expect others to use it?”

Work options also are available to employees at Sound Transit. The agency understands the value of flextime, which makes it easier for employees to work around transit schedules and deal with the demands of work and their personal lives, such as day care and school. Compressed workweeks, both four 10-hour days and nine days in two weeks, are used by 25-30% of Sound Transit employees, and teleworking is done on an informal basis.

“The employees at Sound Transit are dedicated to creating a regional transportation system. That is why they work here,” says Bob White, executive director. “Their commitment is reflected in their use of public transportation and makes our commute trip reduction program work.”

*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.