CH2M HILL, Bellevue

Faced with a move to a new building farther from the transit center, CH2M HILL offered two free days of parking to all who took public transit. A new bike shuttle program was instituted, and the organization fought hard to get its employees to continue their good habits. A leader in the “green building” movement, CH2M HILL maintains a high level of environmental awareness and concern.

Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle

As a hospital, Children’s is concerned about the health of its employees, and promotes active commuting such as biking. The organization has added new locker rooms and showers, and offers on-site bike tune-ups, presentations on the basics of bike commuting, and strong promotion of bike-to-work month. In addition, the Flexpass program has been expanded and six new vanpools added. Personalized commute options are part of new employee orientation.

City of Bellevue

City offices moved to a new building in 2006, adjacent to the Bellevue Transit Center. Parking charges were increased to $98/month for single-occupancy vehicles, and free parking for vanpools was reduced from nine days per month to two. Proximity plus a major promotional effort have led to a significant increase in transit riders.

City of Renton

The City of Renton offers a fully subsidized Flexpass program, as well as $65/month for vanshare and bonus vouchers for carpoolers, walkers, and bicyclists. The City also maintains lockers, showers, and bike racks. There is a guaranteed ride home program as well.

Electronic Data Systems, Federal Way

In spite of a reduction in the number of employees, EDS has seen a steady increase in carpool and vanpool participation over the past year. Commuter spending accounts have been set up to help promote commute trip reduction.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle

With limited bus service, FHCRC has implemented a bike program for employees, adding an on-line calendar and prizes for bikers and walkers. Bike lockers, showers, and towels are also available. A full-time employee coordinates carpools and vanpools, and parking rates for SOVs will be increased soon.

Heller Erhman LLP, Seattle

Heller Erhman provides Flexpasses to all employees, as well as membership in a nearby health club, which all employees who ride their bikes may use. Commute options are incorporated into employee orientation programs, and alternatives are actively promoted.

KeyBank, Bellevue

KeyBank has seen a dramatic drop in SOV use over the past two years, so that the majority of employees are now using alternative transportation. The bank provides a Flexpass to all employees who don’t drive alone

Microsoft Corporation, Redmond

In addition to their fully subsidized Flexpass program, Microsoft has a vanpool incentive program, and has seen vanpool use double over the past year. Their shuttle system carries 2,800 people per day. The bike commuter program offers courses and bike tune-ups. Commute options are included in employee orientation programs.

Nintendo of America, Redmond

Nintendo offers fully subsidized Flexpasses and subsidies for vanpools as well as vouchers for Community Transit and $50 gift cards for carpoolers. A Flexcar is located on site, as are showers and lockers for bicyclists. Alternative commuters are eligible for prizes such as potable DVD players.

Paccar Parts, Renton

Paccar offers incentives for bus riders, vanpoolers and carpoolers, and provides showers, lockers, and bike racks on site. There is also a guaranteed ride home program. Every quarter the company hosts a breakfast for alternative commuters, and continuing promotion of commute options.

Philips Medical Systems, Bellevue

Philips offers fully subsidized Flexpasses and ferry vouchers, and has seen a 10% drop in SOV use over the past two years. Employees must pay for parking, which encourages them to choose another mode of travel.

The Seattle Times, Seattle

The Times offers discounted carpool parking, shower and locker facilities and a secure, covered bike cage. Commuter Bonus Plus vouchers are used as prizes, and all options are discussed in new employee orientations. The results: a 20% decrease in SOV use since 2005.

Seattle University, Seattle

Seattle University offers carpool incentives, the Flexpass, an evening shuttle service, and emergency parking for carpoolers, bikers, and transit riders. This year they began offering subsidized first-year memberships in Flexcar to alternative commuters. They have seen a 10% decrease in SOV use since 2005.

Starbucks Coffee Company, Seattle

Starbucks provides $60,000 in rideshare incentives and has expanded their vanpools again this year. They sponsored a transportation fair in October, and participate in numerous transportation coalitions, such as the Duwamish TMA and Feetfirst.

Symetra Financial, Bellevue

Symetra offers subsidized Flexpasses and vanpools, free parking for vanpools, bike lockers, and other benefits. SOV use has dropped to about 50%.

T-Mobile, Bellevue

T-Mobile expanded from five to seven buildings in 2006, and a major push was made to keep down SOV use. Flexpasses are offered to all employees, as are subsidized ferry vouchers to those who need them. Vanpools and carpools were also increased. Commute options are included in all employee orientations.

University of Washington, Seattle

UW provides a heavily subsidized U-Pass, and continues to work to lower the price of transit use. Carpools and vanpools are also encouraged. Parking for SOVs has been made very expensive. The University heavily promotes the use of alternative transportation.

Voluntary Programs

Planned Parenthood of Western Washington, Seattle

Planned Parenthood of Western Washington offers completely subsidized Flexpasses to all employees, and provides a Flexcar on site.

University Village, Seattle

University Village Shopping Center offers Commuter Bonus Plus vouchers to new carpoolers, in addition to incentives for carpools and bicyclists. They provide covered bike parking at several locations, and priority parking for carpools. They also offer a subsidized Flexpass and a guaranteed ride home.

Individuals

Each of these individuals has been recognized by their peers as someone who has “made the difference” in their respective CTR programs. They are honored not only for their accomplishments but also for their effort, attitude and perserverance.

Kathy Pouncy, City of Redmond

Bette Grant, Cascade Natural Gas, Seattle

Patty Vandenburgh, ZymoGenetics, Seattle

Toni Bajado, North Seattle Community College

*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.