OLYMPIA— Did you know that there are 28,000 fewer vehicles on the road every weekday thanks to employers and communities across the state who support commute trip reduction programs? That’s enough vehicles to stretch single file from Olympia to Everett.
Approximately 530,000 people are employed at worksites that participate in commute trip reduction programs. This translates to 62 million fewer vehicle miles traveled annually and saves three million gallons of fuel and 27,490 metric tons of greenhouse gases.
Governor Chris Gregoire recognized the efforts of these employers and communities today by announcing the winners of the 2010 Governor’s Commute Smart Awards at a ceremony hosted at the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia.
“Our state’s commute trip reduction program is a great example of what can happen when public and private organizations work together to promote transportation choices other than just driving alone,” said Gregoire. “The award winners this year have achieved meaningful and measurable results in reducing drive-alone commutes on our busiest roads.”
The Governor’s Commute Smart Awards recognize communities, businesses, agencies and employee transportation coordinators. The awards recognize the benefits – like better traffic flow and cleaner air - that are shared by all. For every $1 the state invests in these programs, businesses invest an additional $18, maximizing commute trip reduction programs for everyone in the state.
“When more people reduce drive alone trips, everyone benefits with cleaner air, less fuel consumption and decreased wear and tear on our state’s roadways,” said Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. “The efforts by award winners and nominees make a difference. It’s important to take time to acknowledge and appreciate their innovation and dedication.”
By delivering innovative, comprehensive programs that address their employees’ transportation needs, these award winners serve as examples for the more than 1,000 worksites in the state who implement commute trip reduction programs.
This year’s awards recognize 46 recipients in eleven categories. For a complete list of nominees and winners please see below.
Established in 1998, the Governor’s Commute Smart Awards were developed to recognize extraordinary efforts by commute trip reduction worksites in Washington state. Today, the Commute Trip Reduction Program continues to expand and evolve, engaging more commuters, employers, and communities. This recognition event honors employers who are the foundation of the program, innovative communities who are driving the future of the program, and the ongoing contributions of employee transportation coordinators who help employees make better transportation choices every day that help them save money and benefit their communities and Washington state.
Governor Gregoire signed the Commute Trip Reduction Efficiency Act in 2006 to focus the program on congested highway corridors and increase planning coordination among local, regional and state levels, The Act also provides flexibility to local jurisdictions, including the ability to develop customized trip reduction programs in key employments and residential centers.
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Commute Smart Employee Transportation Coordinator Champion Award, Voluntary Site
Corkey Christensen, LUMEDX, Bellevue
Amber Henderson, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Toppenish
Leslie Hopkins, Kitsap County Health District, Bremerton
Commute Smart Voluntary Recognition
Employee Transportation Coordinators
Shelly Holland, General Plastics, Tacoma
Amy Jones, Boundary Bay Brewery, Bellingham
KC McNeil, Romac Industries, Bothell
Selina Shehan, Rings & Things, Spokane
Kerry Tarullo, City of Olympia
Employers
Kitsap County Health District
Metro Parks Tacoma
People for People
Sightline Institute
Western Institutional Review Board
Commute Smart Employee Transportation Coordinator Champion, Affected Sites
Sabrina Combs, City of Bothell
Michelle Cvitkovic, Recreational Equipment Inc., Kent
Charlotte Sampson, Kitsap Transit, Bremerton
Commute Smart Employee Transportation Coordinator Champion, Affected Sites
Julie Ward, Whatcom Educational Credit Union, Bellingham
Starr Winborne, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
Division of Child Support (DCS), Vancouver
Becky Zahler, Washington State Department of Ecology, Yakima
Commute Smart Employee Transportation Coordinator Leadership
Ed McIntire, Eastern Washington University, Cheney
Al Papas, Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Tumwater
Patti Sutton and Jennifer Reyes, Propel Insurance, Tacoma
Commute Smart Employer Champion, Voluntary Site
The Fernwell Building, Spokane
Tetra Tech EC, Inc., Bothell
Village Books, Bellingham
Commute Smart Employer Champion, Affected Site
The Everett Clinic, Everett
PeaceHealth, Bellingham
City of Spokane—City Hall, Spokane
Washington State Department of Commerce, Olympia
Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center, Yakima
Commute Smart Employer Leadership
City of Puyallup
Clark Public Utilities, Vancouver
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton
Commute Smart State Agency Leadership
Washington State Department of Commerce
Commute Smart Community Award
City of Bellevue - Downtown’s “Choose Your Way Bellevue”
City of Olympia – Downtown Commuter program
Snohomish County – Curb the Congestion
Spokane County – Travel Green
City of Tacoma – Downtown: On the Go!
City of Vancouver – Destination Downtown
Whatcom Council of Governments – Smart Trips
Commute Smart Commute Trip Reduction Board Champion
Fred Jarrett
Spokane County Commission and Mayor of Spokane
Commute Smart Legacy Award
Microsoft Corporation
City of Redmond
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