by Maggi Lubov, Commuter Challenge

Since the Fall of 2001, Commuter Challenge has administered two Federal Congestion, Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants in King County and one in Snohomish County with the primary goal of reducing commute trips and auto emissions to improve the quality of life in the Puget Sound region. During that time, I served as Grant Coordinator at Commuter Challenge assisting over 70 employers in implementing Employer Services Grant (ESG) Programs worth approximately $1.2 million.

Grant projects ranged from new carpool, vanpool and transit incentives and subsidies to enhanced FlexPass programs, web-based outreach, employee videos, luncheons, commuter clubs, a bike station, VanShare programs, a parking cash-out strategy, Flexcar projects and ridematch promotions. Creative ideas and valuable resources resulted from the ESG projects for employers and agencies to look to in planning for the future. Each of the projects that succeeded had a “champion” who put his or her heart and energy into making sure the project succeeded. I encourage every ETC to continue to be creative in finding new and effective CTR program elements at your worksites. It is that dedication which gets results!

In reviewing the results of successful ESG projects, the vital key to that success was clear and consistent communication from the beginning of the idea to the implementation of the plan, all the way through to the final evaluation. Those ETCs who successfully spearheaded and shepherded a committee, whether formal or ad hoc, to oversee a project from start to finish generally reported excellent trip reduction efforts as well as happier employees. The planning that goes into understanding corporate culture and employee needs for transportation options pays off in creating a project that stimulates interest for the employee as well as garnering management support.

One employer, DSHS - Capitol Hill CSO, used its grant funding to organize an event committee to host educational lunch dates with speakers invited from transit agencies and other local businesses to talk about transportation options. The outcome at the worksite is satisfied employees who are willing to try alternatives. “This was a wonderful opportunity for us to stretch and use our imagination and share our enthusiasm for the CTR work we do. Our employees are leaving their cars home more than we ever could have imagined, thanks to this grant project,” said Colleen Young, CTR program manager at DSHS – Capital Hill CSO.

Seattle Center, another grant recipient, created an Intranet web site featuring an interactive, user-friendly way to encourage and track alternative ways of commuting to work. The web-based tool is easy to use, fun for the employees and allows them to earn incentives simply by registering online and reporting their commute modes. ETC Donald Loseff convened a committee to spur ideas for web site design and worked with the committee to develop the project.

In all, the two rounds of ESG projects reduced more than 1.4 million trips in the region between December 2001 and May 2004. Congratulations to everyone who worked to support a better commute and cleaner environment for the Puget Sound region!

More information on the second round of the Employer Services Grant Program—including project descriptions, results and the final report submitted by Commuter Challenge to the Washington State Department of Transportation—is available on the Commuter Challenge web site in the grants section.

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