Category: Progress

Trendwest Resorts Inc.,
Bellevue

• CEO*: Bill Peare, President
• ETC: Aimee Montgomery, Executive Assistant

Subsidies spark interest in sharing the ride

Trendwest Resorts of Bellevue develops and promotes timeshare resort destinations. It is a rapidly growing company with only 115 on-site parking spots for its 200+ employees. In 1996 the site became affected by the Washington State CTR Law. Immediately, the company began offering a transit subsidy and priority parking for vanpools and carpools. The response was good. Fifteen percent of the staff began to use alternative commute modes.

Executive Assistant Aimee Montgomery shows off Trendwest's Diamond Award.

In 1998 Trendwest decided to subsidize transit and vanpools at 100%. Carpools were also promoted and have become so popular, many have to park off-site. Those who do, receive a subsidy of $25 per month. The company also added a guaranteed ride home in 1998. The progress made in reducing commute trips to the site is outstanding. Out of 209 employees, 167 either vanpool or carpool to work. After only two years of promoting alternative commute modes, Trendwest has a participation rate of 80%!

Management support keeps participation levels high

A key to the success of this program is management's strong support of the Employee Transportation Coordinator's efforts to reduce the number of SOVs. The company participates in drawings and promotions with the City of Bellevue. Regular e-mails, flyers and memos are sent to notify employees of incentives and updates on commuter information. Every employee receives a brochure containing detailed information about commuting opportunities at Trendwest. Display boards in the lunchroom are updated weekly with current information on commuting. Trendwest currently is working on a quarterly drawing promotion for all CTR participants.

In 1999 the company will relocate to Redmond. The new site is adjacent to the Burke/Gilman Trail, and employees will be encouraged to bicycle, roller blade, or even walk to work, if possible.

*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.