Report on Canadian Alternative
Transportation Programs
FINAL
February 2005
Analysis and Planning Division
Transportation Systems Branch
Environment Canada
Report on Canadian Alternative Transportation
Programs
February 2005
FINAL
Prepared by:
Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada (ACT Canada)
For:
Environment Canada
Contracting Authority:
Don Stewart
Chief, Analysis and Planning Division
Transportation Systems Branch
Environment Canada
10th Floor, 351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3
Departmental Authority:
Sharon Philpott
Analysis and Planning Division
Transportation Systems Branch
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd., 10th floor
Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3
Disclaimer
This report has had a limited technical review by Environment Canada. Its content does not necessarily
reflect the views and policies of Environment Canada. Mention of trade names or commercial products
does not constitute endorsement for use.
Any questions or requests for additional information should be directed to:
Sharon Philpott
Analysis and Planning Division
Transportation Systems Branch
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd., 10th floor
Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3
Disclaimer
This report contains information which has been prepared for, but not approved by, the Canadian
Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). CCME is committed to reflect the highest
standards of research and analysis in its publications. Since CCME itself does not conduct research or
author reports, it is not responsible for the accuracy of the data contained in this report and does not
warrant, or necessarily share or affirm, in any way, any opinions expressed therein.
Acknowledgements
The Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada (ACT Canada) wishes to acknowledge, with
sincere thanks, the information supplied and assistance of all participants in this national effort to gather
information on current alternative transportation programs and initiatives in Canada. Your enthusiasm
and interest in this project was significant and appreciated. Without your active participation this project
would not have been possible. Thank you to Environment Canada for providing direction and guidance
throughout the project duration and to program managers at Environment Canada, Natural Resources
Canada and Transport Canada for your valuable input.
Executive Summary
This document is the result of a research effort conducted to report on existing alternative
transportation programs and initiatives in Canada. It is being submitted for consideration to the
federal/provincial/territorial Joint Action Implementation Coordinating Committee (JAICC),
which is coordinating initiatives towards achieving the Canada-Wide Standards on Particulate
Matter and Ground-level Ozone.
More specifically, the purpose of the report is to present information on Canadian alternative
transportation programs, initiatives and support services that encourage methods of commuting
that reduce vehicle kilometers traveled and promote alternative transportation to the single
occupant vehicle. This report serves to support the reduction of particulate matter and groundlevel ozone by making Canadians more aware of specific alternative commute programs, enabling
them to become involved in the programs or to draw upon them for information and ideas.
The intended audiences for the report are employers that could potentially implement an
alternative transportation program in their workplace, alternative transportation delivery agents,
and for all levels of government. The summaries and profiles included in this report will build a
greater understanding and awareness of current programs and initiatives and help to assist in
priority setting and decision making.
Often called commuter options programs or trip reductions programs, the alternative
transportation program has far reaching environmental, economic, social and community
benefits. Reduced emissions and greater transportation efficiency lead to improved quality of life,
health and sustainability of the transportation system.
Chapters One and Two of this report introduces and describes the benefits of alternative
transportation programs, initiatives and supporting services. Chapter Three details specific
organizations offering alternative transportation programs and initiatives based on the following
categories:
• Employer programs and initiatives
• Youth programs and initiatives
• Institutional programs and initiatives
• Community programs and initiatives
• Transportation Management Association (TMA) programs and initiatives
• Support programs, services and initiatives
• Events or Activities
From the research, it was found that organizations implement alternative transportation programs
because of a commitment to; environmental responsibility, improving air quality, offering
employee benefits, GHG reductions and corporate leadership. Based on the research undertaken,
salient observations and resulting recommendations are as follows:
Page i
Observations
•
Alternative transportation programs and incentives are primarily offered by organizations that
embrace a vision and understanding of the benefits of promoting sustainable transportation and
wish to demonstrate corporate and community leadership through the promotion of these benefits.
In general, there are three primary circumstances for offering an alternative transportation program.
They are as follows:
­
­
­
•
An alternative transportation program will vary according to location and audience. In
general, the ideal program will provide information, resources and tools on each commuter
option, often under an alternative transportation program. The provision of a full menu or
suite of options provides the commuter with a range of choices through which to make an
informed decision. Focusing on one or more elements will be determined by the corporate
culture or specific need of each audience.
­
­
­
­
­
•
Large urban centres experiencing transportation-related problems such as congestion, air
pollution or infrastructure capacity constraints. An alternative transportation program can
service to mitigate or minimize these issues.
Growing urban areas that are starting to recognize that such issues will develop if they are
not proactively addressed. An alternative transportation program helps to avoid these
issues coming to fruition, and
The relatively stable or smaller community that simply understands the benefits of
alternative transportation and is encouraging and promoting commuter options, often with
an active commuting focus, to improve the quality of life for its citizens.
Convenient accessible transit service is vital for it to be a true commuter choice option.
A very successful program in terms of behavior change is the introduction of the U-Pass
program at institutions to increase transit ridership. This dynamic method of encouraging
transit use is generally highly successful due to the deep discounts and large numbers of
people with access to the program.
Telework offers the opportunity of eliminating the commute. The encouragement of this
workplace option should be investigated in terms of its benefits to the employer and
employee.
Ridematching is a key marketing tool employed by many organizations and helps to raise
awareness and acceptance of carpooling or vanpooling.
Active transportation promotion serves to improve the health of Canadians and improves
the quality of life for all citizens through the building of improved pedestrian and cycling
routes and corridors.
The most successful alternative transportation service providers are those with the greatest financial
resource levels. Without financial resources program delivery agents (municipal, local, transit
authority or NGO) struggle to keep their programs operational. Their communication strategies
would reach a greater level of success if a higher level government also raised the visibility of
commuter options. Programs that are funded by government at either the initial stages of
development or throughout the programs have experienced greater success and have brought
about the intended behavioral change necessary in the long term. Funding needs to be sustainable
for an alternative transportation program to thrive. Similar to transit systems, ongoing, sustained
funding is necessary for program delivery, expansion and community acceptance.
Page ii
•
The penetration rate of alternative transportation programs at the employer level is in its infancy
with only a small number of employers active in promoting comprehensive alternative
transportation/commuter options in their workplace or organization. There are a large number of
employers, institutions and governments that have adopted some elements of an alternative
transportation program. They are the minority when considering the number of businesses in
Canada, and should be commended for their proactive initiatives.
•
The promotion of commuter options is often embedded in other programs or outreach initiatives
that serve to reinforce, balance and substantiate alternative transportation promotion. The Canada
Moves program promotes active heart healthy living and encourages active transportation, a
component of which is active transportation to work. The livability of a healthy city, through smart
growth strategies also has ‘embedded’ commuter options messaging. One such example is the
community design principles that encourage walking to the neighbourhood store and locating such
businesses within the residential community.
•
Alternative transportation programs aimed at youth are growing in popularity and are strongly
supported, and well-received, primarily from a health and active transportation standpoint.
Recommendations
•
Recognize that alternative transportation programs and incentives are applicable to all Canadian
communities.
•
Provide resources, allowing each community to deliver an alternative transportation program to
meet their specific needs.
•
Improve transit services to employer locations in major urban areas through the availability of
payroll deducted transit passes, offering tax exempt transit passes , offering discounted transit
passes in lieu of employer provided parking, and improved service in congested areas.
•
Increase available sustainable funding opportunities for alternative transportation programming in
the delivery of commuter options, allowing each community to determine the delivery agent.
Ongoing, sustained resources are necessary for alternative transportation programs to grow and
evolve in Canada.
•
Further investigate the provincial model of alternative transportation programming.
•
Build partnerships to maximize resource opportunities. Partnerships are an indicator of success
and need to be explored further.
•
Build on successes and recognize efforts. If an organization is offering even one element of an
alternative transportation program, use that element as the way ‘in the door’. Once an organization
‘buys’ in to even one program element or incentive they may be more receptive to developing more
inclusive alternative transportation programs.
•
Leverage all opportunities to engage employers. Build partnerships. Use complimentary outreach
programs to further the alternative transportation message.
•
Work with provincial and local government to investigate the increased use of by laws or site plan
agreements to engage employers and land owners.
•
Recognize demonstrated corporate community responsibility and leadership.
•
Maximize youth outreach efforts to increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of the
benefits of sustainable transportation.
Page iii
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................................... 1-1
What is TDM and Why is it Important..................................... 1-1
Goals............................................................................................ 1-2
What is an Alternative Transportation Program ..................... 1-3
Alternative transportation program benefits ................................. 1-4
Environmental, community, social and economic benefits....................1-5
Employer and employee benefits ..........................................................1-5
Local and national benefits ....................................................................1-5
Alternative transportation development in Canada ...................... 1-6
Existing alternative transportation resources in Canada .......................1-7
Programming guides:.............................................................................1-7
Funding programs:.................................................................................1-7
Supporting organizations: ......................................................................1-8
OVERVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION
PROGRAM DELIVERY .......................................................... 2-1
Description of types of programs ................................................. 2-1
Support programs ........................................................................ 2-4
Alternative transportation options and support services............... 2-4
Ridesharing............................................................................................2-4
Emergency Ride Home..........................................................................2-5
Transit ....................................................................................................2-5
Active transportation ..............................................................................2-5
Alternative work arrangements ..............................................................2-5
Automobile use ......................................................................................2-6
Parking management.............................................................................2-6
Local business travel .............................................................................2-7
Supporting measures ................................................................... 2-7
Financial measures................................................................................2-7
Promotional measures...........................................................................2-7
Administrative measures.............................................................. 2-8
Funding mechanisms ................................................................... 2-8
PROGRAMS, INITIATIVES AND SUPPORT ......................... 3-1
Research Methodology .......................................................... 3-1
Online survey ............................................................................... 3-1
Contact list ................................................................................... 3-2
Data collection process ................................................................ 3-2
Employer Programs and Initiatives......................................... 3-5
Overview ...................................................................................... 3-5
Summary of employer programs in Canada................................. 3-5
Location analysis ...................................................................................3-5
Summary by employer type ...................................................................3-6
Program element description.................................................................3-6
Profiles of employer programs ..................................................... 3-9
Youth Programs and Initiatives ............................................ 3-24
Overview .................................................................................... 3-24
Summary of programs in Canada .............................................. 3-25
By province ..........................................................................................3-25
Profiles of youth programs ......................................................... 3-26
Institutional Programs and Initiatives.................................... 3-30
Overview .................................................................................... 3-30
Summary of programs in Canada .............................................. 3-30
Program element description...............................................................3-30
U-PASS................................................................................................3-30
Other key elements of the alternative transportation program ............3-30
Other key elements of the alternative transportation program ............3-31
Profiles of institutional programs ................................................ 3-32
Community Programs and Initiatives.................................... 3-42
Overview .................................................................................... 3-42
Summary of programs in Canada .............................................. 3-42
Program element description...............................................................3-42
Profiles of community-based programs...................................... 3-44
TMA Programs and Initiatives .............................................. 3-56
Overview .................................................................................... 3-56
Summary of TMA programs in Canada...................................... 3-56
TMAs by province/city..........................................................................3-56
TMAs Program element description ....................................................3-57
Profiles of TMA programs .......................................................... 3-59
Support Programs, Services or Initiatives ............................ 3-64
Overview .................................................................................... 3-64
Supporting programs to include drivers...................................... 3-64
Ridematching services ............................................................... 3-64
Vanpool providers ...................................................................... 3-66
Carsharing ................................................................................. 3-66
Active transportation support ..................................................... 3-67
Telework support ....................................................................... 3-67
Advocacy groups ....................................................................... 3-67
Events or Activities ............................................................... 3-67
Overview .................................................................................... 3-67
Commuter Challenge ................................................................. 3-67
Clean Air Day and Canadian Environment Week ...................... 3-70
International Walk to School Week ............................................ 3-70
Walk to School Day.................................................................... 3-71
Bike to Work Week/Month.......................................................... 3-71
Clean Air Commute.................................................................... 3-71
Car Free Day ............................................................................. 3-71
Commuter surveys ..................................................................... 3-72
Awards ....................................................................................... 3-73
Transportation fairs .................................................................... 3-73
OBSERVATIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS ......................... 4-1
RESOURCES AND CONTACTS ........................................... 5-1
Program development.................................................................. 5-1
Active transportation .................................................................... 5-1
Public transit ................................................................................ 5-1
Ridesharing.................................................................................. 5-1
Carsharing ................................................................................... 5-2
Teleworking.................................................................................. 5-2
Associations................................................................................. 5-2
Transportation management associations ................................... 5-3
Other resources ........................................................................... 5-3
Federal resources ........................................................................ 5-4
Organization List .......................................................................... 5-4
REPORT ON CANADIAN ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS
1
Chapter
INTRODUCTION
This chapter defines what an alternative transportation program is, how it fits into the
broader Transportation Demand Management (TDM) field and why it provides an
important benefit to Canada’s environment, economy and society as a whole.
A
lternative transportation programs describe a collection of initiatives and
strategies that work to change transportation behaviour, primarily to shift
single occupant vehicle drivers away from driving alone to other modes of
transportation. This is achieved through walking, cycling, transit use,
carpooling and vanpooling, typically for peak period weekday travel to and from work
or school, or as in the case of teleworking, not requiring transportation at all.
Alternative transportation programs, through their use, helps to reduce vehicle
kilometers traveled, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases.
What is TDM and Why is it Important
Transportation demand management (TDM) is the integrated approach to
transportation planning that focuses on improving the efficiency of the existing
transportation infrastructure and increasing the sustainability of the network through
the management of transportation demand and modal integration. Using a multimodal
approach, successful TDM strategies increase transportation sustainability and mitigate
the need for longer term transportation infrastructure improvements for single
occupant vehicles, resulting in substantial cost savings. TDM effectively supports and
addresses many of the long range goals of local, regional, provincial and federal
governments. TDM supports infrastructure elements or systems, such as dedicated
transit right-of-ways, high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, road pricing (toll roads),
intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and modal integration hubs (terminals, park
and rides, etc.). It also supports the policies and tools that result in a sustainable
transportation system such as land use planning, parking policies, sustainable site
design and focused programs that seek to maximize the livability of a community
through encouraging behavior change.
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Integrating a comprehensive series of TDM strategies into land use and transportation
planning has proven to influence commuter choice and provide economic,
environmental, community and social benefits to all concerned.
Alternative transportation programs are a subset of transportation demand
management (TDM) consisting of the programs, services, tools, resources, policies and
products that enhance, promote and encourage commuter options, reduced traffic
congestion, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improvement in air quality and
enhanced mobility through offering a more balanced and equitable transportation
system. Commuter options or alternative transportation program strategies strive to
minimize the impacts associated with travel by reducing the number of people driving
alone through the development and promotion of carpooling, transit, cycling, walking
and teleworking.
Goals
Goals for transportation demand management programs include, but are not limited
to, the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To provide sustainable transportation options to all Canadian citizens
To reduce, defer or sometimes eliminate the need for additional single
occupant vehicle based transportation infrastructure, such as roads and parking
lots by maximizing the use of existing transportation facilities through;
­ Smart Growth strategies
­ support for increased public transit integration and investments
­ multimodal integration and support of intermodal connections
To reduce or slow the rate of growth of traffic congestion and delays resulting
in congestion cost savings.
To reduce or slow the rate of growth of environmental impacts by decreasing
transportation emissions, noise and energy use;
­ promoting clean air
­ reduction of climate change
To improve public health through;
­ improved air quality
­ reduced GHG emissions
­ increased physical activity
To assist in developing sustainable communities.
To provide improved mobility options and accessibility for citizens which
supports:
­ improved access to employment
­ improved quality of life
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What is an Alternative Transportation Program
Alternative transportation programs, initiatives, or support services strive to shift single
occupant vehicle drivers away from driving alone and to other modes, typically for
peak period weekday travel to and from work or school.
An alternative transportation program is also referred to as a commuter options
program, or trip reduction program. The travel options, or commuter options,
supported under an alternative transportation program include active transportation
(walking, cycling, rollerblading, etc), ridesharing (carpooling or vanpooling), using
public transit and telework.
The intent of an alternative transportation program is to achieve one or more of the
objectives listed below.
•
•
•
•
Mode Choice: Commuters are encouraged to shift from travel by SOV to a
mode with spare capacity or with less environmental and economic impact. If
they are choosing to drive they are encouraged to adopt environmentally
responsible driving practices (anti-idling, proper tire pressure, etc.).
Time Choice: Encouraging commuters to travel just outside the existing peak
demand timeframes.
Location Choice:
­ Trip reduction – Reducing the number or length of trips (measured in
vehicle-kilometers traveled (VKT)) (i.e., employee lives near work)
­ Trip elimination – Eliminating some or all trips by preventing the need
for travel (i.e., telework)
Route Choice: Trip chaining or trip planning to minimize short trips, leverage
carpooling or vanpooling in order to encourage efficient travel. The
technology associated with route choice is often linked with intelligent
transportation systems.
The following graph illustrates the objectives of an alternative transportation program.
(Source: www.commuterchoice.com )
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Alternative Transportation Program
Alternative transportation programs vary significantly according to the unique program
delivery agent, the specific goals of the program, the regional location and on available
funding. There is no ‘right or wrong’ alternative transportation program. While all
have common or similar elements, each unique combination of incentives, services,
tools, resources, program delivery messaging and style results in an alternative
transportation program that suits the needs of its target population. All are taking the
proactive position of rendering alternative transportation a ubiquitous part of Canadian
society.
Alternative transportation program benefits
The benefits of alternative transportation programs are far-reaching and stand to
provide the impetus for behaviour change that will impact future generations. From
the global environment to the local neighbourhood, the workplace, school or
individual, the benefits are significant.
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Environmental, community, social and economic benefits
There are many benefits to the adoption and implementation of an alternative
transportation program. The following is a list of benefits:
•
•
Environmental and economic benefits
­ reduced tailpipe emissions mitigating air pollution impacts
­ reduced climate change
­ reduced pollution of surface water from fuels and road salts
­ reduced ecosystem disruption and destruction of natural habitats for
new/expanded roads and parking
­ reduced resource consumption
­ reduced congestion/ increased transportation system efficiency
Community and social benefits
­ reduced impacts from traffic including noise and congestion
­ maintained/reduced travel time in urban areas
­ improved access to employment and other destinations
­ increased safety – reduced risk from motor vehicle deaths and injuries
­ increased levels of physical activity and improved health
­ increased quality of life by investing in bike lanes and additional
greenspace.
­ improved community living with more eyes on the street, and
opportunities for social contact and neighbourhood cohesion.
Employer and employee benefits
Both individuals and corporations can benefit from an alternative transportation
program, through:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
increased employee productivity, retention and satisfaction
demonstrated corporate leadership
reduced costs for providing parking
reduced costs for office space
potential for increased service hours without hiring additional employees
more flexible working hours
reduced congestion costs for businesses
Local and national benefits
Governments and the public at large all benefit when alternative transportation
programs work to manage commuter travel demand through the following:
•
•
•
•
•
maintained or reduced expenditures on required parking infrastructure
reduced expenditures on roads and associated costs (policing, maintenance,
emergency response)
development of new industries in mobility and telecommunications
progress toward Kyoto Protocol targets for reduced greenhouse gas emissions
improved health/reduced health care costs
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Alternative transportation development in Canada
Alternative transportation programs are evolving rapidly in Canada, and are almost
exclusively based on voluntary participation. Both institutions and commuters are
encouraged to become involved, generally through a number of incentives often called
‘carrots’ provided by local governments or non-profit associations. The application of
disincentives or ‘sticks’, such as London’s congestion charging scheme in the U.K., is
extremely rare in Canada. The most commonly employed disincentive to driving is
parking charges or road tolls.
Federal departments, such as Transport Canada, Environment Canada, and Natural
Resources Canada are providing leadership in development of the transportation
demand management field. These departments have conducted a variety of research
projects and developed a number of tools or programs for employers and local
governments to use. They have provided funding to undertake TDM projects, pilots
and programs. An example of a tool developed is Transport Canada’s Commuter
Options: The Complete Guide for Canadian Employers. Programs offered that
support alternative transportation and promote vehicle efficiency are the Urban
Transportation Showcase Program, Moving on Sustainable Transportation Program,
Environment Canada’s EcoAction and One Tonne Challenge programs and NRCan’s
Anti-Idling, Tire Inflation and Auto$mart initiatives.
Not surprisingly, the provinces with the country’s largest urban areas are the most
involved in providing alternative transportation programs and services. British
Columbia and Québec lead in direct or indirect involvement at the provincial level
through funding, coordination and program delivery. TransLink in BC and Agence
métropolitaine de transport (AMT) in QC have both become the voice for regional
alternative transportation programming in their respective areas. While the Ontario
provincial government is not directly involved in developing alternative transportation
programs, municipalities and other organizations within Ontario have been working on
and promoting alternative transportation measures for over a decade. Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba are rapidly growing their alternative transportation
programming efforts through outreach initiatives by organizations and governments
such as The City of Calgary and Resource Conservation Manitoba.
In the eastern provinces, PEI, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and
northern territories, the focus of alternative transportation outreach or programming
occurs largely within the areas of promoting youth initiatives or encouraging active
transportation.
In addition, many alternative transportation programs have been developed at the local
level, and are currently in place in cities, such as Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary,
Edmonton, Winnipeg, London, Toronto (and surrounding area), Peterborough,
Ottawa, Waterloo, Montréal, Québec City and Halifax.
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Existing alternative transportation resources in Canada
The internet is a useful and practical resource for enabling immediate access to an
extensive worldwide knowledge network on alternative transportation programming,
services, and tools. More and more frequently, resource guides and information are
being posted for ‘free’ and immediate access for downloading. Programming guides,
promotional samples, policy advice and general ‘how to’ information is readily and
easily available. Case studies of prevailing alternative Canadian transportation success
stories are now posted on a wide variety of internet sites. In Chapter 3 of this report
profiles of Canadian programs will be included.
Canadian resources for alternative transportation are available through programming
guides, funding programs, supporting organizations and leading examples within the
country. While some of the key resources in Canada are highlighted below, it is
recognized that this list is not inclusive of every online alternative transportation
resource in Canada. It is important to note that the online information network
continues to evolve, grow and is an indispensable tool for the alternative transportation
practitioner or organization. Each of the resources indicated below will offer links to
other relevant sources of information, both within and outside of Canada. The
following list of programming guides, funding programs and supporting organizations
are also evolving into resource areas, highlighting current information on programs,
events, program news, case studies of success stories and links to other relevant
information sources.
Programming guides:
•
Transport Canada’s Commuter Options: The Complete Guide for Employers
•
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) Go Green Coordinator
and Employee Educational Materials
-
-
www.tc.gc.ca/Programs/Environment/Commuter/menu.htm
www.gogreen.com
•
Pollution Probe’s S.M.A.R.T Movement: Saving Money and the Air by
Reducing Trips Guide
•
Transport Canada’s Information Network
•
Allégo Kit, Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT)
-
-
•
www.pollutionprobe.org
www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/utsp/informationnetwork
www.amt.qc.ca
Quebec Ministry of Transport www.mtq.gouv.gc.ca
Funding programs:
There are many different funding models and opportunities in Canada. Municipal or
regional outreach programs are generally funded through municipal funds.
Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) are often funded through
partnerships with local, regional, provincial or federal governments, NGOs, and the
private sector. Private sector employer programs are commonly self-funded. All of
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Chapter 1
these groups may seek support, specific project funding or sustaining capital for their
initiatives. While the single project funding sources often lead to new initiatives or pilot
programs, the success of an alternative transportation program or initiative is
dependent upon ongoing, sustaining funds.
The key funding programs that are applicable to alternative transportation are:
•
Moving on Sustainable Transportation (MOST)
•
Urban Transportation Showcase Program
www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/most
•
•
•
•
www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/utsp
Green Municipal Funds www.fcm.ca
One-Tonne Challenge www.climatechange.gc.ca/onetonne
EcoAction Community Funding Program www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
Infrastructure Canada www.infrastructure.gc.ca/research-recherche/KOA
Supporting organizations:
Some of the larger alternative transportation supporting organizations in Canada are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
TransLink www.translink.bc.ca
Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) www.amt.qc.ca
Resource Conservation Manitoba www.resourceconservation.mb.ca
Ecology Action Centre (TRAX) www. trax.ca
Better Environmentally Sustainable Transportation (B.E.S.T.) www.best.bc.ca
and www.gogreen.com
Pollution Probe www.pollutionprobe.org
Go for Green www.gogorgreen.ca
Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) Canada www.actcanada.com
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2
Chapter
OVERVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE
TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
DELIVERY
This chapter presents an overview and description of the types of alternative
transportation programs and how they may be delivered to the various audience types.
Description of types of programs
Alternative transportation programs are as diverse and unique as the variety of
employers, schools and institutions that deliver them. There is no standardized
method of offering an alternative transportation program, but delivery is usually
segmented by audience and/or geographic area. Audiences are typically
employees, students, or the general community. Program delivery can also further
be divided by geographic area, where economies of scale can be achieved amongst
neighbouring businesses or institutions that group together and share resources.
Alternative transportation programs for employers and employees
Alternative transportation programs focused directly at employers and their
employees are the most common, and concentrate on the work-home commute
trips. The implementation of alternative transportation programs are often
stimulated by issues such as congestion, lack of parking, air quality or GHG
emission concerns or because of a desire to demonstrate community or corporate
leadership.
Chapter 2
Overview of Alternative Transportation Program Delivery
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Chapter 2
The success of employers in shifting or eliminating trips is largely due to the
availability of the alternatives, such as transit, that focus on serving commute trips.
The ability of employers to provide improved trip-end facilities, like showers,
lockers and preferential parking, is also helpful. Finally, employers have a captive
audience, as well as built-in communications tools like e-mail, intranet sites, poster
boards and centralized display areas with which to educate employees.
The size and type of employers who encourage alternative transportation varies.
While private organizations, public sector organizations and institutions all may
provide transportation options, the programs offered by these different types of
organizations tend to differ. For example, the economic profitability of a privatesector organization may impact upon the delivery of an internal alternative
transportation program – in times of cutbacks such programs may be the first to
go, whereas a public sector organization may not be impacted by the business
climate. Similarly, the introduction of new federal funding programs focused on
sustainable transportation may lead to a surge of new initiatives and program
growth opportunities in this field.
Alternative transportation programs for students
Efforts to manage the transportation demand of students vary by the age of
students. Elementary school students are encouraged to participate in programs
like Active and Safe Routes to School, while high school students have their own
programming such as Off-ramp. Post-secondary students are targeted with yet
another approach, one more similar to an employer-focused program but often
with a focus on transit though such programs as the U-Pass. With U-Pass
programs, students’ enrollment fees include the use of transit for the school year.
The Active and Safe Routes to School program is the primary method of
delivering alternative transportation programs to elementary school students.
Programs such as these are delivered by a variety of stakeholders. Initiatives such
as the walking (and cycling) school bus program have been developed, where
parents volunteer to walk or cycle with a group of students to school. In addition
to walking and cycling, school children and their parents are encouraged to use
school buses, rideshare and refrain from idling cars in school loading zones.
Alternative transportation programs for secondary school students are the leastdeveloped means of encouraging reduced automobile use. This likely stems from
the age group of the target audience, and the social pressures to embrace the
automobile as a ‘rite of passage’. Programs targeted at secondary school students
work to address this cultural mind-set by combating attitudes toward
transportation in a fun and creative way.
As students graduate and attend post-secondary institutions, other pressures work
to change students’ approach to transportation. With reduced financial capacity,
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many of these commuters already find themselves accessing alternatives, but
constrained parking capacity, particularly on urban campuses, leads to the need for
shifting even more students away from driving alone. Environmental concerns
are also a driving force on many campuses, leading to action to address air quality
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, since many post-secondary
institutions are also large employers, the employee component of the alternative
transportation program is extremely important in reducing travel demand.
Cluster approach to alternative transportation programs
An alternative transportation program isn’t necessarily restricted to an employer’s
worksite or to within the confines of a university campus or school. Where a
cluster of organizations are all facing similar transportation issues, collaboration
can help maximize the use of an alternative transportation program’s resources.
When companies and institutions do group together, they often form what is
called a ‘transportation management association’ (TMA). The TMA is usually a
third-party organization, typically not-for-profit, who then delivers the program
back to participating members. TMAs may also be called a ‘transportation
management organization (TMO) or a transportation management centre (TMC).
Decentralization or multiple office locations can also make the delivery of an
alternative transportation program a challenge, since each locale may have
different needs. Program delivery can be more efficient with a core set of
common elements that allows for flexibility tailored to each site.
Encouraging commuters to travel just outside the existing peak period minimizes
congestion impacts. Some dispersed employers or institutions, such as hospitals
and schools, may group together as an industry to deliver alternative
transportation programming. This is especially relevant when certain issues, such
as shift work, play a significant role in all of the organizations. A common
example of this is the staggered school start times that maximize bus use
efficiency.
Community-based alternative transportation programs
Community-based alternative transportation programs exist where the entire
community is the focus of the delivery organization. In some instances, this
approach evolves where there is one leading outreach organization within a
specific region and the one organization targets employers, institutions and the
general community alike. These are comparable to a TMA, except that the area
served is the entire community rather than a portion thereof. For example, Go
Green Choices in Vancouver targets the employer-based community while the
City of Ottawa’s TravelWise program targets the community at-large.
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Support programs
Programs that support alternative transportation come from three distinct types of
suppliers:
Government – Provided at the local, regional, provincial or federal level,
governments and their agencies provide a wide range of services like
implementation tools, incentives, disincentives, funding and support for
alternative transportation program delivery by employers, schools and other
organizations. Governments also provide the core transportation services, or
infrastructure, that can alter supply to match long-term modal shift targets.
Non-profit/non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) – These groups provide
similar services as governments, and often do so on behalf of the government.
Non-profit agencies can also conduct politically based campaigns to change
policies and transportation supply in favour of alternative modes.
Private sector – Various members of the private sector are involved in delivering
alternative transportation programs from the planning stage to implementation
and evaluation. Private firms also sponsor non-profits and governments in their
effort to shift transportation behaviour.
Alternative transportation options and support services
Ridesharing
Ridesharing involves two or more people who commute together in the same
vehicle. This form of transportation best serves suburban areas and commuters
who travel longer distances. Many alternative transportation programs encourage
ridesharing by providing an automated system to help commuters find people
with whom to share rides, as well as preferential parking spots for those who
carpool or vanpool.
•
Carpooling is an informal arrangement where people commute together in
an automobile owned by a member of the carpool (usually the driver).
Financial arrangements and/or sharing of driving responsibilities are made
by the members of the pool.
•
Vanpooling combines the door-to-door service of carpooling with the
security and regularity of transit. This is a more formal arrangement where
people commute together in a vehicle, usually a van, and usually owned by
a third party. The driver(s) of the vehicle are members of the pool, and
may pay a reduced rate or ride for free. Members of the vanpool pay a
mandatory fee to cover costs, while the owner of the van could be the
employer, the municipality, a TMA or a private company. In some cases,
the employer will even subsidize the cost of the vanpool for employees, or
pay to cover the cost of an empty seat until a new commuter can be found
to fill it.
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Emergency Ride Home
An emergency ride home (ERH) or guaranteed ride home (GRH) program ensures
that an individual who uses a commuter option, other than driving alone, is entitled to
a free ‘ride’ home, usually by taxi, vehicle rental or fleet vehicle. The purpose of an
emergency ride home program is to take away the excuse of not using a sustainable
commuter option for reasons such as ‘What if my child is sick”, or “What if there’s an
emergency I have to attend to”. An ERH program can be offered directly by the
employer, through a TMA or community outreach initiative.
Transit
Every major city in Canada provides some form of public transit, and in large
urban centres rapid transit can transport commuters to work or school faster than
an automobile. Most transit companies operate on fixed routes, but are willing to
make accommodations to suit commuters’ needs.
Taking transit helps the commuter to save money, and minimizes the number of
parking spaces required at the employment site or institution. Employers can
make taking transit easier through programs that automatically deduct monthly
pass fares from an employee’s paycheque, by providing a transit subsidy, and by
providing improved access to transit stops ,route maps and schedules.
Active transportation
Active transportation is an umbrella term for all ‘human-powered’ means of
getting around, such as walking, cycling and inline skating. These methods of
getting to work and school are considered seasonal by some, and are best used to
replace short automobile trips. However, active transportation can be combined
with transit to provide the benefits of physical activity to those who must travel
longer distances.
Providing the right trip-end facilities is essential for active commuters. Showers,
lockers, bicycle parking (secure or covered) help employees or students to make
the switch to walking/inline skating, jogging or cycling while maintaining the
ability to be suitably dressed for the day.
Alternative work arrangements
Altering work arrangements can break down the rigid barriers of workplaces that
make changing transportation habits difficult or impossible. These include
telework (or working from home), flex hours and compressed work weeks.
•
Telework occurs when an employee works from a remote location with the
assistance of telecommunications technology, often at home, but also at a local
telework centre or satellite office. This arrangement reduces or eliminates the
commute, and can save the employer the overhead costs associated with
housing full-time employees. With the reduced realestate expense, many
employers will partially or fully cover the cost of telecommunications
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equipment and furnishings for their employees. Telework can be a full-time
option or a part-time option in positions where some face-to-face interaction
is necessary. Many post-secondary institutions also offer ‘distance learning’
which operates in a similar fashion.
The emerging mobile workplace that technology is enabling through wireless
connections and voice over IP protocols (VOIP) is rapidly growing the ‘work
from anywhere – anytime’ trends that may lead to a radical workplace
evolution over the coming decades, changing forever how we understand the
term ‘going to work”.
•
Flexible or ‘flex’ hours allow employees to start and finish their day at any time
within a preset range of working hours, without changing the total number of
hours worked. For example, an employer that requires its employees to work
from 9:00 to 5:00 might allow them to start at any time between 7:00 and 9:00,
and then finish at the corresponding time between 3:00 and 5:00. This allows
employees to avoid peak travel times and spread out commuter traffic over
more hours of the day.
•
A compressed work week allows an employee to work the same number of
hours as a regular work week, but over a shorter amount of time. A typical
compressed work week involves working four longer days to receive one half
of a day off, which can then be combined over two weeks for a full day.
Compressed work weeks encourage employees to shift their travel time
outside of the peak hours, particularly in the morning, and to eliminate
commute trips entirely.
Both flex hours and compressed work weeks can benefit the employer by
extending the service hours that a business provides to its customers without
the need to hire additional employee or extend shifts into overtime.
Automobile use
Measures to reduce the environmental impacts of automobiles are often combined
with alternative transportation programs for two reasons. Firstly, these initiatives
allow everyone to get involved in the program, including single occupant vehicle
drivers or those required to bring an automobile to work. Secondly, since many
alternative transportation programs are concerned with reducing pollution and
damage to the environment, efforts to make automobile use more efficient are
complimentary. These can include anti-idling campaigns, tire pressure clinics, tips
on fuel efficiency, and incentives for purchasing and using alternative-fueled
vehicles.
Parking management
Parking is often cited as both a reason to drive, and a reason not to drive, to work.
But parking management plays a critical role in encouraging commuters to change
their transportation choices. By reducing the supply of parking, an organization
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can automatically create a disincentive to driving, but must provide reasonable
alternatives for commuters. Pricing parking is a major disincentive to drive. By
charging a fee for commuters to park their vehicles, many will seek out other, less
expensive options. Finally, as an added incentive for those who switch to
ridesharing the best parking spots are often reserved for their exclusive use. In
summary, effective parking management can be one of the most influential factors
in mode choice.
Local business travel
Including business travel in an alternative transportation program is not common,
but some organizations do include business travel as part of their overall
programming. Employees who need to travel during the work day often choose
their cars, or are encouraged to do so by their employer. Providing options for
employees to travel on business, such as taxi chits, pre-paid transit fares, fleet
vehicles, removes another barrier for employees who wish to change what mode
of transportation they use for commuting. Some employers reduce their long (or
short) business travel needs through the use of technology, actively encouraging
teleconferences or videoconferences in place of face-to-face meetings.
Supporting measures
In additional to services and programs that encourage commuters to consider the
various alternatives to driving alone, a series of supporting measures help the
commuter to make the decision to switch in the first place. Alternative
transportation programs may include any of the following:
Financial measures
Direct cash incentives and disincentives help employees and students consider the
benefits of changing their transportation habits. These include allowing an
employee to ‘cash-out’ the value of his or her employer-provided parking spot,
providing direct subsidies to the cost of a transit pass, and charging for
automobile parking.
Promotional measures
Marketing campaigns are necessary to educate commuters and help them to
rethink their transportation choices. Special events, such as the national
Commuter Challenge, provide a fun opportunity to try getting to work by some
other means, and also add a bit of social pressure to do so. Most alternative
transportation programs link all of their promotional efforts with a brand name,
such as Smart Commute, GreenCommute, On Board, TravelWise, Travel Smart,
GoGreen Choices, Allégo, etc. that further helps to communicate messages about
transportation choices.
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Administrative measures
With large employers and schools often come more complex organizational
environments. By addressing barriers to alternative commuting through
supportive policies, such as relaxed dress codes or flexible start times,
administrative barriers can be reduced or removed. Securing the alternative
transportation program in company policy ensures that the program is embedded
in corporate culture and becomes just another offered benefit.
Funding mechanisms
Almost all programs consist of a partnership of one sort or another, involving the
employer or school, local government and outside agencies.
Some government funding is available, generally as start-up funding to establish an
alternative transportation program or through project-specific initiatives.
Governments also provide resources in-kind, either directly or through non-profit
organizations, such as on-going assistance, special events and tools for program
delivery.
Some grant programs are available for alternative transportation programs from
both senior levels of government and charitable sources. Again, these grants are
targeted as seed funding or based on specific projects. Stable, consistent funding
for alternative transportation programs from outside sources is rare, except in the
case of transportation management associations that may collect regular
membership dues to remain sustainable.
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3
Chapter
PROGRAMS, INITIATIVES
AND SUPPORT
This chapter summarizes the results of the comprehensive research efforts and crossCanada survey of current Canadian programs, initiatives and support services that
promote alternative transportation and thereby reduce vehicle kilometers traveled.
Profiles of alternative transportation programs and initiatives are included to highlight
Canadian experiences.
Research Methodology
A comprehensive and thorough research effort was undertaken to gather information
and data on alternative transportation programs and initiatives in Canada. The primary
research methodology was data collection through a detailed online survey. Secondary
methods utilized consisted of extensive internet searches, literature reviews and
targeted telephone contact.
Online survey
Complimenting the broader research efforts, a survey was developed by ACT Canada
to capture and detail alternative transportation programs and contacts in Canada.
The online survey was designed to incorporate the following key elements:
• ease of online completion
• ability to extract standardized results in a common format
• use of generic transportation terms to facilitate comparisons
• provision of open ended questions to add detailed information and project
descriptions, where warranted
• allowance for multiple contacts within one organization
• state-of-the art skip logic to enable respondents to see only those sections
applicable to their situation
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Contact list
An extensive list of contacts for alternative transportation programs and initiatives in
Canada was developed by utilizing ACT Canada’s network of knowledgeable TDM
professionals and with assistance from Environment Canada.
This contact list was further supplemented and developed through the use of internet
searches and an outreach effort consisting of direct telephone or email contact with
known organizations and individuals requesting details on other contacts they might
know of in Canada.
An organization was included on the contact list if it met the criteria of actively
encouraging, promoting or supporting alternative transportation or its supporting
elements. In other words, an alternative transportation program element needed to be
in place for the specific purpose of supporting alternative transportation. For example,
an organization participating in a ridematching service is making an active decision to
support alternative transportation. Conversely, an organization that has some of its
employees using transit, but that does not actively encourage transit through
programming, incentives or outreach, is not considered to be offering, supporting or
promoting alternative transportation and was therefore not contacted to complete the
survey.
Data collection process
An exhaustive and concentrated research effort was undertaken to ensure that all
known organizations offering, supporting or active in alternative transportation
programs, initiatives or support were aware of this project and encouraged to complete
the online survey. In addition, internet and literature searches were used to source
information and/or existing case studies on alternative transportation programs. A
personalized email was sent to each individual on the contact list. The email included a
hyperlink to the secure online survey. Follow-up emails to non-respondents were sent
at two different intervals. Other methods employed to reach Canadian organizations
that might be offering alternative transportation programs included:
•
Posting a notice of the survey on the international TDM list-serve that is part of
the National TDM and Telework Clearinghouse (www.nctr.usf.edu/clearinghouse). The
Clearinghouse is part of the National Center for Transit Research located at the
Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida.
•
Posting a notice on the Go for Green Active Transportation (AT) Listserve.
•
The forwarding of the ACT Canada survey notification along with a localized
request by the local/regional Government TDM contact to complete the survey
by the following organizations:
­
­
­
­
The City of Calgary
Town of Markham
Region of Waterloo
Regional Municipality of Halifax
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The forwarding of the ACT Canada survey notification email by the following
organizations to their relevant members or contacts by:
­
­
­
­
­
Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA)
Resource Conservation Manitoba (RCM)
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST)
Ecology Action Centre (TRAX)
Pollution Probe
•
Telephone and email contact with each Provincial Union of Municipalities.
•
Contact with organizations undertaking One Tonne Challenge projects.
•
Extensive use of telephone and email contact to obtain information and to source
those less well known alternative transportation programs or initiatives.
•
A direct link to the survey was provided on ACT Canada’s website.
•
Internet and literature searches used to source information and/or existing case
studies on alternative transportation programs.
The research effort resulted in a total of 174 organizations responding to the survey
with information on their programs and initiatives, as well as additional information
collected on numerous organizations sourced through other means.
It is recognized and noted that the research efforts may not have reached every
possible organization in Canada that is active in alternative transportation
programming or outreach. Not all organizations contacted participated in the survey.
Every effort was made to document information by other methods. Conversely, there
are likely some organizations that have alternative transportation programs that are not
publicly ‘visible’ or are still in their infancy.
From the research conducted, the vast majority of alternative transportation programs
are located within the large urban centres within the provinces of British Columbia,
Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Some of the larger centres
where alternative transportation programs are being implemented and evolving are
Vancouver/Victoria, Calgary, Winnipeg, Greater Toronto Area, Waterloo, Ottawa,
Montreal and Halifax areas.
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As illustrated in the following table, the outreach efforts resulted in 211 survey
participants representing 174 organizations participating from several organizational
sector types. The number of responses by organizational type represents both
programs and initiatives related to alternative transportation.
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Employer Programs and Initiatives
Overview
Employer programs are the crux and focus of alternative transportation programs that
seek to encourage methods of commuting that reduce vehicle kilometers traveled and
promote alternatives to the single occupant vehicle (SOV). Employer-based programs
and incentives target employees directly in an effort to motivate commuting behaviour
change to reduce congestion and the social, economic and environmental impacts of
driving alone.
Employer-based programs and incentives reached through this survey include both
public and private sector employers. Individual consultants, TMAs or NGOs with less
than 15 employees were excluded from the employer program summary as these
organization types are focused on alternative transportation consulting or program
delivery. Private and public sector employers, regardless of size, were included in the
data summary. This section will summarize the research results and will profile those
employers with programs and initiatives in Canada.
Summary of employer programs in Canada
The survey reached 104 employers who indicated that their organization offered
incentives or programming to encourage their own employees to change their travel
habits.
Location analysis
The breakdown of employer-based programs researched by province indicates that
almost half are in Ontario, with the remaining equally distributed between Alberta,
Quebec, and British Columbia Note that this breakdown shown is indicative of the
penetration and response rate of the survey by province.
However, based on the larger research effort undertaken for this project, the vast
majority of employer-based programs are indeed located in Alberta, British Columbia,
Ontario and Quebec with most known employer-based alternative transportation
programs being situated in the largest Canadian urban areas. Other location-based
elements that are shared by organizations offering alternative commute programs are
as follows:
• Most of the organizations have the following amenities within their
community:
­ a network of cycling /walking trails and bikeways (on-road)
­ available high-speed internet access
­ park and ride facilities
• About a third of the organizations indicated the following was available:
­ a visible TDM network or outreach program in their community
­ local government that offers TDM services to the community
­ community-wide ridematching service
­ carsharing service
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Summary by employer type
Most organizational employment sector types are represented within the research
efforts. Public and private sector employers offering alternative transportation
programming as well as NGOs were researched and assessed.
Program element description
Employer-based alternative transportation programs vary significantly from one
another. Some may offer many, a few or only one key commuter options element or
incentive. The salient alternative transportation programming incentives are
summarized below for those respondents offering an alternative transportation
program or incentives to their employees:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
89% have bicycle parking onsite
75% participate in the Commuter Challenge
60% offer flextime to their employees
59% provide transit information onsite
52% have done a commuting survey
52% have a full or part-time TDM coordinator
49% sell/distribute transit fares onsite
49% offer a compressed work week to their employees
45% offer a ridematching service to employees
42% have a part-time formal telework program
41% have done counts or surveys to estimate person arrivals
37% have given their alternative transportation program a name
33% have an internal alternative transportation website
28% have dedicated carpool parking
27% have a TDM strategic plan
21% have undertaken evaluation measures
17% have a bicycle users group
16% offer an emergency or guaranteed ride home program
16% have a full-time formal telework program
9% use a vanpooling service
Employer programs and initiatives are offered for a variety of reasons. The top
reasons are:
•
•
•
•
•
Environmental responsibility
Air Quality
Employee benefit
GHG emission reductions
Corporate leadership
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Based on the research efforts there are very few employers who offer alternative
transportation programs because they were mandated to do so either through a site
plan agreement, bylaw or other ‘imposed’ reason (i.e., ‘walking the talk’, council
priorities, etc.).
A more detailed summary of the reasons why employers said they implemented their
alternative transportation program or initiative is highlighted in the following table.
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Supporting elements of an alternative transportation program includes the type and
availability of on-site amenities, mitigating the need to leave the worksite during the day
or necessitating having a car available. Research indicates that amenities such as a
cafeteria, teleconferencing and ATM machines are commonplace at the worksite and
about half of employer organizations offering an alternative transportation program
also provide transit/ticket sales on-site, exercise equipment and fleet vehicles. The
table below highlights some of the common amenities available at worksites with
alternative transportation programs.
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From the research, of the organizations offering an alternative transportation program,
less than a quarter have undertaken any evaluation measures to determine the results of
their transportation initiatives. Commonly measured elements include traffic counts,
surveys and participation numbers. The majority of those who undertake evaluation
measures included measurable environmental benefit to the alternative transportation
program. The evaluation measures typically used are participation levels and mode
choice usage.
Profiles of employer programs
As evident from the research, the number of employers offering their employees active
programming, incentives or support for alternative transportation in Canada are of the
minority but significant in effort. This indicates that there is plenty of room for the
growth of alternative transportation programs in Canada.
From this outreach effort, it is apparent that employer-based alternative transportation
programs are in their infancy in Canada, with the first such programs only having
started in the late 1990’s. Therefore the employers highlighted in this section are to be
commended for their leadership, community and environmental responsibility. They
serve to act as role models within both their local communities and for Canada as a
whole.
Private sector employers
Nortel Networks GreenCommute Program
Organization Name: Nortel Networks (Ottawa)
Program start date: 1998
Overview: The Nortel Networks GreenCommute program is a Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) program that was first piloted at the Nortel Ottawa 2.3 million sq.ft. Carling campus in 1998. The
program was initiated as a joint endeavor by Nortel Networks, the Region of Ottawa-Carleton, the City of
Nepean (now the amalgamated City of Ottawa) and the National Capital Commission (NCC) to mitigate
the potential impacts associated with a large-scale expansion of the site. The goal of the Nortel Networks
GreenCommute program was to actively encourage and promote commuting options other than the
single occupant vehicle in an effort to reduce the number of vehicle trips arriving on-site.
One of the first steps towards designing the program was to gather baseline information on the
commuting patterns, behaviors and attitudes from employees. A comprehensive on-line survey included
questions addressing driver behavior, existing commuting modes, attitudes, interests and barriers and
motivators to alternative transportation. Comprehensive ground counts were also conducted to record
baseline commuting activity for future evaluation and measurement purposes. The results of the data
collection exercises were used to guide the development of the Nortel GreenCommute program.
Originally launched for people working at the Ottawa Carling Campus in March of 1999, the program has
since been expanded to sites in other parts of Canada (Toronto and Montreal) and the United States. The
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size of the audience in Ottawa is approximately 6000 persons. One of the keys to the success of
GreenCommute is that it addresses all commuting modes.
Current program elements:
• Full-time TDM coordinator
• Dedicated & comprehensive GreenCommute intranet site
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Intranet based, self-serve Carpool Matching program (custom-designed)
• Parking management system (including online carpool registration)
• Active promotion through email messages, on-line newsletters, transportation fair events ,
information packages
• Preferential parking for carpoolers (proximate or weather protected)
• State-of-the art teleworking program – Teleworking Solutions, separate from, but linked to,
the GreenCommute program
• Improved transit services and support (dedicated transit hub, streamlined transit routing,
transit shelters, increased service, on-site transit information, on screen bus arrival
information)
• Cycling support (dispersed bike parking, high security, sheltered parking, shower, change and
locker facilities, active bicycle users group)
• Ongoing surveys, counts, evaluation and measurement
Source: excerpts from www.fhio.gc.ca; www.nortel.com and/or survey responses
Mountain Equipment Co-Op – Vancouver Store
Organization Name: Mountain Equipment Co-Op (Vancouver) - 200 employees
Program start date: 1997
Overview: Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC) is renowned for their corporate environmental
responsibility and has an established and proactive alternative transportation program. Cycling is
encouraged and supported and as a result 76% of the employees cycle to work. MEC actively supports
alternative transportation through choosing store locations that are close to bike routes and transit lines
and by providing bike storage facilities and showers and bike tools for staff. MEC does not provide car
parking for staff. MEC also has a Store Environment Fund, a fund through which local alternative
transportation initiatives are supported such as Bike Month celebrations and the creation of a School
Cycling Policy Guide.
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Onsite amenities (ATM, sundry shop)
• Taxis for employee use
• Carsharing (vehicles provided on a pay per use basis)On-site transit ticket/pass sales
• Showers, secure indoor bike storage, lockers
• Deals on shoes, clothing and accessories for all staff
• Cycling Tools - a shop stand and manuals for maintenance as well as cleaning and
lubrication supplies are always available to employees. Bike touring gear is available for
employees to borrow from a gear library.
• Publicize the availability of vanpooling services from the outside organization to
employees
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•
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Teleworking employees can access the same IS support as other employees. Much work is
done by email.
Bike Maintenance Clinics for Members - Some stores offer bike maintenance sessions for
members. These clinics teach members how to keep their bikes on the road and running
smoothly.
Source: excerpts from www.mec.ca/vancouver (under social and environmental responsibility) and/or survey responses
Sunlife Financial
Organization Name: Sunlife Financial (Waterloo) – 4000 employees
Program start date: 1997
Overview: Current program elements:
• part-time TDM coordinator
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Onsite amenities (ATM, sundry shop fitness facility)
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Shuttle (campus or nearest transit station)
• Transportation fairs/events
• Transit/ticket pass sales
• Ridematching System
• Preferential, dedicated carpool parking
• 1 on 1 discussions with new hires on benefits of alternative transportation
• Part-time formal teleworking
• ERH program
Source: survey responses
VanCity Credit Union
Organization Name: VanCity Credit Union (Vancouver) – 50 employees
Program start date: 1991
Overview: VanCity encourages environmentally responsible choices through programs and incentives.
These include priority parking for carpoolers, BC transit passes at a reduced monthly rate, and sites are
situated at locations easily accessible by transit. All branches have bike racks, and VanCity's head office
has a secure bike room, lockers, and shower facilities. VanCity is an active participant in the Canadian
Commuter Challenge on Clean Air Day
Current program elements:
• part-time TDM coordinator
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Transit/ticket pass sales (BC transit passes at reduced rates)
• Preferential, dedicated carpool parking
• Payroll deducted transit passes (part of TransLink's Annual Employer Transit Pass
program)
• Bike storage room, lockers and showers
• Carpool parking
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Carpools parking discount (50%)
Source: www.vancity.com; www.best.bc.ca ; www.gogreen.com; and survey responses
Enbridge Gas Distribution
Organization Name: Enbridge Gas Distribution. (Scarborough) – 850 employees
Program start date: 2000
Overview: Enbridge has an established alternative commuting program called “Enbridge Commutes”.
They are currently developing a business case to secure a company-leased NGV shuttle bus to assist
employees in getting to and from the Don Mills/Sheppard subway stop.
Current program elements:
• part-time TDM coordinator
• Onsite amenities (ATM, fitness facilities )
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Bike parking
• Ridematching (Carpool.ca)
• Preferred, dedicated carpool parking
• Transportation fairs/events
Source: www.enbridge.com and survey responses
Exhibition Place
Organization Name: Exhibition Place. (Toronto) – 200 employees
Program start date: 2003
Overview: Exhibition Place is a company partner in the Pollution Probe SMART Movement program.
The grounds of the Exhibition Place are large, covering 196 acres. While there are sidewalks, there are a
lot of parking lots. Staff is working on getting showers refurbished for employee use to encourage
bicycling. Three communal bicycles for staff are provided to use on the site. Cycling is encouraged and
bicycle maps of the city are available. Exhibition Place recently installed 40 new bicycle parking posts. An
annual barbeque occurs in honour of the City’s bike week and bicycle repair seminars are held.
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator (Smart Coordinator
• Onsite amenities (ATM, fitness facilities)
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Bike parking
• Bicycle users group
• Ridematching (CarpoolTool.ca)
• communal bikes, electric gulf carts
• Transit information onsite
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Taxis for employees use
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Commuter surveys to document modal split to the site
Source: www.explace.on.ca www.pollutionprobe.com and survey responses
Suncor Energy
Organization Name: Suncor Energy. (Calgary) – 3500+ employees
Program start date: 2004
Overview: Suncor Energy’s alternative transportation program was initiated through the One Tonne
Challenge program. Personal commitment cards have been developed to help employees achieve their
One Tonne goal.
Current program elements:
• Onsite amenities (ATM, cafeteria )
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Bike parking, showers, lockers, change rooms
• Ridematching (internal carpool.ca)
• Carpool parking
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Shuttle
Source: www.suncor.com and survey responses
West Jet
Organization Name: West Jet. (Calgary)
Program start date: 1997
Overview: "West Jet started its home reservations program back in 1997. Approximately 10% of its
reservations workforce conducts their duties from home. From a business perspective, the HomeRes
program reduces office space requirements, handles disaster recovery by having a remote network, and
provides West Jet’s workforce with an opportunity to reduce commuting time to work eliminates the
stress of commuting and reduces vehicle costs.1
Source: www.calgary.ca
1
www.calgary.ca
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Private Sector Employers located in The City of Calgary
Organization Name: Multiple
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Engstrom
TransCanada
Chevron Texaco
Shell Canada Ltd.
NOVA Chemicals
IBM
TransAlta Corporation
ENMAX Corporation
Program start date: 2002-2004
Overview: The City of Calgary launched a large scale outreach campaign with the focus of the initiative
on the availability of an online ridematching system, carpool.ca. The initiative has proven to be hugely
successful with many organizations signing on. Corporations then broadened their own internal initiative
to include other supporting program elements, such as (not necessarily offered at each organization):
Current program elements:
• Ridematching (carpool.ca) - as the base leveraging program element
• Onsite amenities (ATM, cafeteria , fitness facilities)
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Bike parking, showers, lockers, change rooms
• Carpool parking
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Commuter challenge participation
Source: www.huskyenergy.ca; www.enmax.com; www.shell.ca; www.transalta.com; www.novachem.com;
www.ibm.com; www.chevrontexaco.com , www.carpool.ca and survey responses
Private Sector Employers located in the Town of Markham
Organization Names: IBM Canada Ltd. and URS Canada Ltd
Program start date: 2001
Overview: The Town of Markham and the Smart Commute 404-7 TMA are currently in the process of
actively working with companies such as IBM Canada Ltd and URS Canada Ltd to both set up the local
TMA, and to implement employer-based alternative transportation programs and/or initiatives within
member companies. At this point in time, the following are some of the program elements being
pursued.
Current program elements:
• Full-time TDM outreach coordinator/representative
• Access to the information on the Smart Commute 404-7 website
• Commuter options promotion
• ridematching
Source: www.smartcommute404-7.ca ; www.markham.ca and survey responses
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Public sector employers
Federal Government:
Within the NCR (National Capital Region), there is a program whereby all employees
in all departments are eligible to purchase a transit pass through payroll deduction. In
addition, the majority of worksites provide bicycle parking, and some of the buildings
also offer showers and change facilities. Therefore, within all NCR Federal
Departments some elements of alternative transportation programming are offered.
Transport Canada’s Green Commute Program
Organization Name: Transport Canada, Ottawa (2300 employees)
Program start date: 1999
Overview: Transport Canada’s Green Commute program was the second employer-based alternative
transportation program offered in Ottawa. It was designed from the outset to address all commuter
modes and to offer a ‘complete’ program to Transport Canada’s employees. A key lesson from the 5
years that the program has been operational is that the services offered must be extremely convenient and
a win-win situation for both employee and employer in order for people to change their commuting
habits. The Green Commute program serves as a model for all other Federal government departments
and offers a potent case study for commuter options programming.
Current program elements:
• Ridematching system(internally developed, postal code based)
• Green Commute website
• Onsite amenities (ATM, cafeteria , fitness facilities)
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Bike parking, showers, lockers, change rooms
• Employee surveys
• Carpool parking
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Taxis for employee use
• Commuter challenge participation
• Transportation fairs/events
• Form of transit pass for employer to offer their employees through payroll deduction (i.e.
EcoPass)
• Strategic development assistance for the launch of other programs
• Development and sharing of marketing and promotional items
Source: www.tc.gc.ca and survey responses
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Environment Canada - Federal House in Order
Organization Name: Environment Canada, Ottawa (2300 employees)
Program start date: 2002
Overview: The Leadership Challenge is the Federal House in Order (FHIO) program for encouraging
all federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations to undertake a greenhouse gas (GHG)
reduction program of their own design and voluntarily report on results.2 In 2003 the FHIO did a TDM
strategic plan and commuter options survey to assist in the design and delivery of a comprehensive
alternative transportation program and initiatives.
Current program elements:
• Onsite amenities (ATM, cafeteria , fitness facilities)
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Bike parking, showers, lockers, change rooms
• Employee surveys
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Taxis for employee use
• Express shuttle service
• Commuter challenge participation
• Transportation fairs/events
• Form of transit pass for employer to offer their employees through payroll deduction (i.e.
EcoPass)
• Strategic development assistance for the launch of other programs throughout the Federal
Government
• Leadership demonstration
Source: www.fhio.gc.ca and survey responses
Environment Canada - Montreal
Organization Name: Environment Canada, Montreal (180 employees)
Program start date: 2000
Overview: The Montreal Environment Canada office has been active in alternative transportation
promotion for over 5 years. The program, called Travel Alternatively, is focused on employees and is a
model for both the local community and the entire region of Montreal. Encouraging alternative choices
for business travel was a key element and focus of the Travel Alternatively programming.
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
2
www.fhio.gc.ca
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Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
Self-service bicycles for employees (including one electric bike)
Business travel policy
Bike parking, showers, lockers, change rooms
Employee surveys
Fleet vehicles for employee use
transit tickets offered instead of taxi chits for local business travel
Transportation fairs/events
ridematching
Source: www.ec.gc.ca and survey responses
Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa
Organization Name: PWGSC
Program start date: 2000
Overview: PWGSC offers it’s employees in the National Capital Region the benefits of an employer
deducted transit pass, bicycle parking, showers, change rooms and locker facilities, teleconferencing,
videoconferencing, transit and ticket pass sales and fleet vehicle for employee use. PWGSC was also
responsible for the piloting of a telework program within the Federal Government, specifically:
• Sponsored the TeleTRAC program to track GHG emissions and reductions by remote workers
• Sponsored the Telework Registry for aiding the creation of Telework Programs
• Developed a Satellite Office (Telework Centre) in Montreal
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Onsite amenities (exercise equipment)
• Bike rack, showers
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Transportation fairs/events
• Overall employee awareness program
• Parking for carpools
Source: survey responses
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Indian and Northern Affairs, Gatineau
Organization Name: Indian and Northern Affairs
Overview: Departmental policy mandates the development and implementation of a comprehensive
environmental awareness campaign supporting commuter options of employees. The employer provided
transit pass for employees will soon be implemented:
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Onsite amenities (ATM, childcare, sundry shop, exercise equipment)
• Bike rack, showers
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Annual Environment Week activities such as bike tune-up workshops
• Remote access tools in place supporting telework
• Web-based educational tool promoting sustainable internal operations awareness on
intranet
Source: www.ainc-inac.gc.ca and survey responses
Industry Canada
Organization Name: Industry Canada
Program start date: 2004
Overview: Industry Canada has many policies and research initiatives that support alternative
transportation. Research includes the University of Ottawa and Industry Canada biking health research.
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Onsite amenities (ATM, , sundry shop)
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Locker allocations/shower facilities
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Bicycle user group
• Commuter surveys
• Fleet vehicles for employees use
• Green Corner website
• Monthly eco-tips to all employees
• Toolkit and financial support from Environment Canada
• Green hotels policy, sustainable development strategy
Source: www.ic.gc.ca and survey responses
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Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Organization Name: Industry Canada
Overview: Natural Resources Canada offers an internal employee program and significant external
supporting initiatives. NRCan is responsible for or a participant in offering policies and programs to the
public on transportation efficiency and it’s on internal operations reflect these policies. .
Current program elements:
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Onsite amenities (ATM, child care, sundry shop, exercise equipment)
• Employer provided transit pass through payroll deduction (EcoPass)
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Commuter surveys
• Fleet vehicles for employees use
• Ridematching (developed own)
• Taxi for employees use
• Transportation fair/events
Source: www.www.nrcan.gc.ca and survey responses
National Capital Commission (NCC)
Organization Name: National Capital Commission (NCC)
Program start date: 1990’s
Overview: The National Capital Commission is a Crown corporation with a unique mission and
mandate — to create and use the Capital Region as a source of pride for Canadians. Major events held in
the Capital and programming and planning for these events with all levels of government are a key focus.
NCC’s internal alternative transportation program is currently under development.
Current program elements:
• Toolkit to assist special events
• Transit/ticket pass sales
• Teleconferencing
• Taxi’s for employees use
Source: www.canadascapital.ca and survey responses
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Provincial Government:
Nova Scotia Department of Energy
Organization Name: Nova Scotia Department of Energy
Program start date: 2000
Overview: The NS Department of Energy encourages its own employees and offers funding for
community level projects.
Current program elements:
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Onsite amenities (ATM)
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Ridematching (partner with TRAX regional service, carpool.ca)
Source: www.gov.ns.ca and survey responses
Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works
Organization Name: Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works
Overview: The NS Department of Transportation and Public Works encourages its own employees to
use alternative transportation.
Current program elements:
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Onsite amenities (ATM)
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Taxis for employee use
• TRAX surveys
• Ridematching (partner with TRAX regional service, carpool.ca)
Source: www.gov.ns.ca and survey responses
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Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour
Organization Name: Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour
Overview: The NS Department of Environment and Labour encourages its own employees to use
alternative transportation under the Sustainable Transportation Committee
Current program elements:
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Active and sustainable transportation incentives and education for employees
• Ridematching (partner with TRAX regional service, carpool.ca)
Source: www.gov.ns.ca and survey responses
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
Organization Name: BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
Program start date: approx. 1995
Overview: The BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection has been offering alternative
transportation outreach initiatives for almost a decade.
Current program elements:
• Commuter Challenge participation
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Ridematching
• Teleconferencing
• Employer provided transit pass through payroll deduction
Source: www.gov.bc.ca and survey responses
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Local/Municipal Government:
It is the local/municipal government that provides the direct community leadership to
demonstrate that an employer-based alternative transportation program is easily
implemented, maintained and a proven benefit to employees. Leadership by example
is an important tool for encouraging other community organizations to offer such
programs for their own employees. Yet, surprisingly, only 58% of the local/municipal
governments surveyed indicated that they offered alternative transportation
programming to their own employees.
The City of Calgary
Organization Name: The City of Calgary, (13,000 employees)
Program start date: 2002
Overview: The City of Calgary’s Staff Commuter Challenge is the internal alternative commute
program targeted at employees. The internal program was mandated through a council priority for
TDM. The Staff Commuter Challenge provides an example for the community by leading through
example.
Current program elements:
• Full-time TDM coordinator
• Teleconferencing
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, dry-cleaning, sundry store)
• Bike parking, showers, lockers, change rooms
• Employee surveys
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Transportation fairs/events
• Ridematching (Regional program carpool.ca)
Source: www.calgary.ca and survey responses
The City of Ottawa
Organization Name: The City of Ottawa, (2,000 employees)
Program start date: 1998
Overview: The City of Ottawa’s internal and external alternative transportation program is called
TravelWise. It started initially in 1998 as the model for the external outreach program. It has now been in
existence for almost 7 years and all key programming elements are in place.
Current program elements:
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Part-time TDM coordinator (for internal program)
Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
Onsite amenities ( ATM, sundry store, exercise equipment)
Bike parking, showers, lockers, change rooms
Employee surveys
Fleet vehicles for employee use
Transit/ticket sales onsite
Bicycle users group (5% participation)
Transportation fairs/events
Source: www.ottawa.ca/travelwise and survey responses
The Town of Markham
Organization Name: The Town of Markham, (2,000 employees)
Program start date: 1998
Overview: The Town of Markham uses its internal program to test and model exactly the type of
program that they are seeking to get area employers to implement. They recently conducted a vanpool
market test (pilot project) in Dec. 2003 to test employee acceptance for this mode. Currently in progress
is a planned telework feasibility study. All key alternative transportation programming elements have
been introduced to Markham’s staff
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator (for internal program)
• Ridematching system (www.vivacommute.com)
• Teleconferencing/videoconferencing
• Onsite amenities ( ATM, sundry store, exercise equipment)
• Bike parking, showers, lockers, change rooms
• Employee surveys
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Bicycle users group (5% participation)
• Transportation fairs/events
Source: www.markham.ca and survey responses
Town of Richmond Hill
Organization Name: The Town of Richmond Hill
Program start date: 1998
Overview: The TDM initiative in Richmond Hill was implemented as a result of the Corporate Clean
Air Action Plan. In June of 2000 the Town received the first ever Federation of Canadian MunicipalitiesCH2M Hill Sustainable Community Award for the Corporate Clean Air Action Plan recognizing
Richmond Hill’s TDM program as a national leader in working towards a sustainable community. This
award was the catalyst for moving the alternative transportation initiative forward. Richmond Hill is
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partnering in the GTA/Hamilton Smart Commute initiative and has established the local Smart
Commute 404-7 TMA.
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• 50% discount for Town employees of transit tickets
• Bike parking, shower/change facilities
• Telework program for eligible employees
• Rideshare program with designated carpool parking stalls
• Bike to work days
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Implementing Smart Commute 404-7 with Markham and the local business community
Source: www.richmondhill.on.ca and survey responses
Regional Municipality of York
Organization Name: The Regional Municipality of York
Program start date: 2004
Overview: The Regional Municipality of York is on of the leads in the new GTA and Hamilton Smart
Commute initiative under the UTSP. An internal alternative transportation program demonstrates
leadership to their future potential Smart Commute business partners.
Current program elements:
• Full-time TDM coordinator
• Onsite amenities (ATM)
• Transit/ticket sales onsite
• Transportation fairs/events
• Ridematching (Smart Commute 404-7 TMA carpool.ca)
Source: www.region.york.on.ca and survey responses
Youth Programs and Initiatives
Overview
Youth programs and initiatives are designed primarily to engage youth prior to driving
habits being established. This allows this group to be educated on the benefits and
opportunities of alternative transportation. Presenting and establishing a positive
image of alternative modes of travel such as walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling,
vanpooling and teleworking, through messages of better health, convenience and
environmental benefits helps Canada’s youth create a foundation of understanding of
the benefits of commuter options. Many youth programs and initiatives focus on the
benefits of active transportation. Key national elementary youth programs include
Active and Safe Routes to School including the Walking School Bus. As they are
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typically school-based, the secondary benefits of these programs are that students bring
information home to parents on alternative transportation benefits.
Secondary school programs and initiatives focus on raising awareness of the
environmental impact on driving alone and removing the ‘stigma’ attached with cycling
and transit use. These programs seek to encourage and stress the mobility and
freedom aspects associated with walking, cycling and transit use and the resultant
reduced need to be driven to activities or using a car.
This section will summarize the research findings and will profile Canadian youth
programs from a variety of organization types.
Summary of programs in Canada
Youth programs are offered by local, provincial NGOs or local/municipal
government. The interest in promotion of youth programs, partially fuelled by the
increased attention on physical activity, is encouraging the implementation of youthfocused types of programs throughout the country.
Two of the key programs broadly in use are the Active and Safe Routes to School
(ASRTS) program targeted at elementary children and the Off Ramp program targeted
at secondary school students. An overview of these programs is highlighted in the
profile section. Specific or innovative youth targeted programs have also been
developed by others in Canada.
In 2005 Go for Green will shift the main focus of the Commuter Challenge event by
separating the employer-based Commuter Challenge from the youth-based school
challenge.
By province
According to the national coordinators, Go for Green, the ASRTS program is
promoted and coordinated across Canada by a variety of organizations in each
province and territory as follows:
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Alberta: SHAPE (Safe, Healthy, People, Everywhere); Sport and Recreation Branch
(Government of Alberta);
British Columbia: Way to Go!, funded by the Autoplan Broker Road Safety Program;
Manitoba: Resource Conservation Manitoba;
New Brunswick: Sport, Recreation and Active Living Branch of the Sport & Culture
Secretariat (Government of New Brunswick);
Newfoundland: Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (Government of
Newfoundland); City of St. John's;
Northwest Territories: Sport, Recreation and Youth Division of Municipal and
Community Affairs (Government of the Northwest Territories);
Nova Scotia: Ecology Action Centre and the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation
Commission (Government of N.S.);
Nunavut: Recreation and Leisure Division (Government of Nunavut);
Ontario: Greenest City (as of December 1, 2003: Green Communities Association);
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Prince Edward Island: Sport and Recreation Division of the Department of Community
and Cultural Affairs (Government of PEI);
Québec: Kino-Québec and Vélo-Québec;
Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Culture, Youth & Recreation Department (Government of
Saskatchewan);
Yukon: Sport and Recreation Unit (Government of Yukon); Recreation and Parks
Association of the Yukon.
Profiles of youth programs
Youth program profiles
Active and Safe Routes to School
Organization Name: Go for Green, National Coordinators, Ottawa
Overview: ‘Active & Safe Routes to School (ASTRS) is a national program encouraging the use of
active modes of transportation to and from school. The benefits include:
• Increased physical activity for children and youth
• A healthier lifestyle for the whole family
• Less traffic congestion around schools
• Safer, calmer streets and neighborhoods
• Improved air quality and a cleaner environment
Overview of ASRTS Initiatives
• Walking School Bus for young children for safety and traffic awareness
• Biking School Bus for older children with adult supervision and a focus on bike safety
• International Walk to School Week (IWSW)
• No idling zone for cars around schools
• Busing drop-off zones a kilometre or so from school and safe pedestrian routes for kids
to walk the rest of the way to school
• Central school bus pick-up and drop-off points to increase physical activity for students
and enhance busing efficiency
• Physical infrastructure changes to increase safety for walkers, cyclists, in-line skaters, etc.,
to reduce and calm traffic, and to cut pollution
• Policy Changes 3
The ASRTS program is offered in many communities throughout Canada by different local/municipal
governments or NGOs.
Source: www.goforgreen.ca; www.resourceconservationmanitoba.ca; and survey responses
3
www.goforgreen.ca
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Off-Ramp Program
Organization Name: Developed by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST), BC
Program start date: 1998
Overview: Off ramp is “a student-led program to change attitudes & circumstances so that
secondary students increasingly walk, cycle, take transit, board, blade and carpool to school.”4The
program was developed by BEST, and is now offered in a variety of locations such as Greater
Vancouver ,Victoria, Kelowna and Whistler, BC; Swift Current, Alberta; Whitehorse, Yukon and
Winnipeg, Manitoba (through the Resource Conservation Manitoba).
The BEST off ramp program developed fun and innovative ways for youth to take action on
sustainable transportation in the “onehundredandone” activity guide. Each of the 101 activities
identified provides a summary of how to undertake the project.
Source: www.best.bc.ca, www.cutaactu.ca and survey responses
Way to Go Program
Organization Name: Way to Go
Program start date: 1998
Overview: The Way to Go! School Program is a RoadSense project that fosters safer, healthier
travel alternatives for elementary and middle school students. Way to Go! offers effective tools to
help parents make safer alternative travel arrangements for students going to and from school.
The goal of the Way to Go! Program is to enable more children to walk, bike, rideshare or take
public transit to school with their families, friends and neighbours. To date, more than one-third
of all B.C. Elementary and middle schools have requested the Way to Go! resource kit.
Source: excerpts from the www.waytogo.icbc.bc.ca website
Green Communities
Organization Name: Green Communities
Program start date: 1998
4
www.best.bc.ca
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Overview: The Green Communities Association is a national network of community-based nonprofit organizations that deliver innovative environmental programs and services, with a focus on
household and community action. The GCA supports member organizations in working together
to achieve environmental sustainability, including healthy ecosystems and communities, sustainable
resource use, and clean air, water, and soil. The GCA delivers the ASRTS program for elementary
students and has introduced the STEP program for secondary schools.
The Sustainable Transportation Education Program (STEP) was a pilot project aimed at
determining how to best implement sustainable transportation initiatives at a secondary school
level. The Green Communities Association (GCA), through its successful ASRTS program for
elementary schools, was keen to expand the program to High Schools. Through consultations with
Better Environmentally Sustainable Transportation (BEST)'s Off-Ramp program, the Town of
Markham, Pollution Probe, and Peterborough Green-Up, and funding support from the Climate
Change Action Fund, the STEP program was born5.
Source: www.saferoutestoschool.ca, www.gca.ca and survey responses
Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon
Organization Name: Developed by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST), BC
Overview: The Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon offers programs to encourage
walking and cycling to schools under the “Active Yukon Program”. There are currently 8
elementary and 5 secondary schools participating. Participation in the commuter challenge
campaign, newsletters and educational materials are components of the program.
Source: www.rpay.org and survey responses
School Commuter Challenge
Organization Name: Go for Green, Ottawa
Program start date: The event started in 1991 and Go for Green became the national event organizers
in 2000
Overview: The Commuter Challenge introduced students and youth in the overall National
Commuter Challenge in an effort to engage students and parents. As a result of the growing
interest of schools in participating in the Commuter Challenge, and in the interests of better
targeting the messaging for both employers and schools, Go for Green is moving to separate the
employer-based commuter challenge and the youth-based school challenge. For the upcoming
2005 Commuter Challenge, students and schools will be registering in their own section of the
Commuter Challenge website. This allows for more targeted participation and individual program
development.
5
www.gca.ca
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Source: www.commuterchallenge.ca and survey responses
Region of Waterloo – You Can Clear the Air - Grade 3 Curriculum Supplement
Organization Name: Region of Waterloo
Program start date: 2003
Overview: You Can Clear the Air is a supplement to the Province of Ontario's curriculum and
part of the Region of Waterloo's Travelwise program. It targets the future generation of potential
motor vehicle drivers and creates awareness about travel choices among children, teachers and
parents. It brings the message through games, activities, facts and exercises about issues related to
the impact of travel choices on air, health and land use.
The unit asks students and their families to complete a 7-day family travel audit that assess’ how
families travel and identifies opportunities for change. Students see the emissions motor vehicles
produce by placing a sock over a tailpipe and creating “pollution catchers”. Teachers taking on the
unit are able to book a Grand River Transit bus tour of their neighbourhood where the students
make observations about land uses and their impact on travel choices. The unit culminates with an
exercise that asks students to educate others about what they learned. Each year several art projects
are chosen to be part of the “Our Kids Say…Travelwisely” campaign and placed on the outside of
Grand River Transit buses.
The project is an outcome of Regional Council’s request to educate the public about auto
reduction and TDM initiatives (Action 8 from the Regional Transportation Master Plan). The unit
was developed though a partnership of a Region of Waterloo inter-disciplinary team
(Transportation Planning and Grand River Transit staff), two local School Boards, an educational
consultant and teachers and students from pilot classes. A copy of the Teacher’s Guide is in the
Teacher Resource Library of every elementary school in the region and is available digitally from
each of the School Board’s server. The Region of Waterloo will make the program materials
available to transit systems and school boards, upon request.
Source: www.region.waterloo.on.ca and survey responses
Allégo – Do you have 2 legs or….4 wheels?
Organization Name: Agence métropolitaine de transports (AMT)
Program start date: 2004
Overview: The Agence métropolitaine de transports (AMT) developed an Allégo at school
program that includes a quiz and a field trip by public transit for the teacher to plan with the class.
Source: www.amt.qc.ca and research
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Institutional Programs and Initiatives
Overview
Institutional programs, geared to the students, staff and faculty, of a college or
university or institutional facility provides community leadership and a role model for
the businesses and pubic alike. Universities and colleges must target their alternative
transportation program delivery to a wide range of stakeholders, all with varying
incomes, backgrounds and travel habits. As the centers for learning in the community,
these groups are very important for establishing visible alternative transportation
programs, leveraging buy-in from students – the future employees of business
organizations.
Summary of programs in Canada
As with employers, the majority of institutional programs that are offering alternative
transportation programs and incentives are found in the largest urban centres within
the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec.
Program element description
U-PASS
A U-Pass provides all students access to transit for the duration of the school year and
is included as a mandatory part of tuition fees. The cost of transit through a U-Pass
can be significantly lower than the cost of buying monthly transit passes. U-Pass
programs can serve to significantly raise transit ridership to the university or college
campus. For example, at UBC, transit ridership increased 48% in the first year after
the U-Pass was introduced6
The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) has recently published a U-PASS
Toolkit available online at www.cutaactu.ca. This document indicates that as of March
2004, there were 20 universities or colleges offering the U-PASS in Canada, in the
Provinces of Ontario, British Columbia Alberta and Nova Scotia. The survey results
indicated that approximately 40% of the institutions that had completed the survey had
implemented the U-Pass program.
Other key elements of the alternative transportation program
The survey results indicated that institutions responding to the survey and offering
alternative transportation programs had the following key characteristics:
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6
100% indicated that there site was readily accessible by transit and 90%
indicated it had very good to excellent service
75% provide ridematching, with an equal split between a service provider or
developing their own
www.trek.ubc.ca
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67% have a full or part-time TDM coordinator
67% have done a commuting survey
50% have a TDM strategic plan
25% offer an emergency ride home (ERH) program
33% provide dedicated carpool parking
Other key elements of the alternative transportation program
The following table summarizes why institutional survey respondents are interested in
or implementing alternative transportation initiatives.
The top reasons sited for program implementation included:
• Infrastructure costs
• Community relations
• Employee benefit
• Air quality
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Profiles of institutional programs
Universities or Colleges
The UBC Trek Program
Organization Name: University of British Columbia (UBC)
Program start date: 1997
Overview: UBC is located at the westernmost tip of Vancouver, and is a community of over
50,000 students, staff, and faculty, with hundreds of educational, residential, and administrative
buildings. In 2003, approximately 60,000 one-way person trips are made to UBC on a daily basis.
In the spring of 1997, the Board of Governors decided that UBC should lead the region in
promoting, researching, and integrating sustainable transportation alternatives. UBC decided to
start in its own backyard: The UBC TREK Program Centre was born. The TREK program now
stands as a model for Canadian institutions and a testament to the success of this proactive and all
-encompassing alternative transportation initiative. Its strong partnerships both on and offcampus (BEST, TransLink, Jack Bell RideShare) help contribute to the program's success.
Current program elements:
• TREK Program Centre - staff are dedicated to the alternative
• Transportation program development and program promotion
• Carpool ridematching program (Commuter Connections)
• Online RideBoard - the online alternative to the bulletin board for rides to and from
campus, the city, and beyond
• CanCart Loaners - a handcart or a bikecart, this 'trailer' is free to UBC community
members and allows the alternative transportation user a method of carrying groceries,
books, presentation materials, - just about anything that would be too large or heavy to
carry by hand or load into a pannier.
• Cycling Programs:
o Bike Right is a four-hour, free, interactive workshop that will help improve and
refine cycling road and safety skills.
o Bicycle Users Group (BUG) - The BUG is an informal focus group comprised
of students, staff, faculty and other stakeholders who cycle to, from and around
UBC on a regular basis. The group, in partnership with the AMS Bike Co-op, is
an info sharing and advisory body, and it provides feedback and suggestions to
relevant parties on how to improve cycling on/around the UBC campus.
• End of Trip Facilities
o Lockers and showers are available
o Bike racks - covered and uncovered - are located outside each of the major
buildings.
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.Emergency Ride Home (ERH) - ERH provides commuters who regularly vanpool,
carpool, bike, walk, or take transit with a reliable ride home via a cab when an emergency
arises. TREK reimburses 90% of the cost of the trip, not including the tip
Shuttle Programs:
o Campus Shuttles travel a fixed route on campus.
o Grocery free daily shuttle to the grocery store from UBC residences
Transit Programs:
o Employer Pass Program (EPP) UBC staff and faculty a 15% discount on transit
with a minimum 12 consecutive month commitment.
o Electronic photo id used.
Shared Vehicle Program Pilot Project: This program is modeled after the Cooperative
Auto Network car booking system and offers a UBC-specific web-based booking system
for departmental use. Provides departments that own vehicles with an opportunity to
recoup some costs of ownerships and provides departments that occasionally need use of
a vehicle with an opportunity to book through our campus network, while minimizing the
need to bring personal vehicles to work for occasional off-campus daytime trips.
ComPASS: Community Pass Program—modeled after the student U-Pass, this program
is expected to launch in 2005/2006 and will provide all residents of UBC that are not
staff, faculty, or students with an unlimited transit pass in addition to access to other
transportation benefits.
U-Pass Card
o The U-Pass was approved by referendum in February 2003. It is a mandatory
pass for students at a cost of $20/month over 8 months. The U-Pass entitles
UBC students to unlimited access to TransLink's bus, SkyTrain, and Seabus
services and to discounts on the West Coast Express.
Results: The results of the TREK program are significant. The March 2003 Transportation
Status Report highlights the following success indicators:
• Transit use has doubled in 6 years. From 1997 to 2003, the number of daily transit trips
per person at UBC has increased 99%. The introduction of the U-PASS in 2003 resulted
in 48% increase in the number of daily trips.
• Single occupant vehicle use has decreased by almost 20%
• Daily traffic volumes have decreased 7% (from 1997 to 2003) levels
• Cycling has increased by almost 4%
Source: excerpts from www.trek.ubc.ca and survey responses
The University of Ottawa
Organization Name: University of Ottawa (U of O)
Program start date: 2003
Overview: U of O is conveniently located near the heart of downtown Ottawa and is one of the
national capital's largest employers with approximately 3,000 staff and more than 30,000 full and
part-time students. The alternative transportation program at U of O was launched with the inhouse development of a ridematching service for staff, faculty and students. The U of O actively
encourages its community to use public transit, cycle, skate and walk. These travel alternatives are
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promoted through the University listserv and three University based newspapers which also
encourages community participation in organized events.
The University of Ottawa was the 1st organization to create a partnership with the EcoPass and
Passe-Patout Plus programs offered by OC Transpo (City of Ottawa) and STO (Société de
Transport de l’Outaouais) for the support and teaching staff of the University of Ottawa. The
programs began in January 2000, and have steadily gained popularity amongst teaching and
support staff members, for instance between May 2003 and May 2004 these programs increased by
32% and are still attracting new subscriptions
Current program elements:
• Dedicated full-time TDM coordinator (since June 2004)
• Baseline commuting survey conducted
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, fitness facility)
• Working on the expansion of existing campus shuttle service.
• Two on-site locations for transit ticket/pass sales.
• On site shower facilities, accessible to staff and students alike
• Teleconferencing/Videoconferencing available
• Dispersed, sheltered and secured bike parking
• With the City of Ottawa, the U of O helped to fund and finalize additional bike routes leading
to the campus
Source: www.uottawa.ca and survey responses
Carleton University
Organization Name: Carleton University
Program start date: 2003
Overview: Carleton University is located along the Rideau Canal and Rideau River. The University has
approximately 4,500 faculty and staff, and 23,000 students. The highlight of Carleton's alternative
transportation program is the light rail (O-Train) station located at the centre of the campus. The
introduction of the O-Train in 2001 represented a major transit improvement to the site. With an average
of approximately 3300 students/staff using the train the first year it opened in 2001, this figure has risen
to 5,250 per day in 2004. The convenient and accessible service offered by the O-Train has helped
Carleton increase its accessibility and mitigate the need for driving. In addition, four major bus routes
come onto the Campus. Carleton University was one of three organizations in Ottawa that won the
inaugural 'Ottawa's Best Workplaces for Commuters" award in 2004.
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Baseline commuting survey conducted in January 2005
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM’s, bank, medical centre, fitness facility, campus
security)
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• On-site transit ticket/pass sales
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Payroll deduction of OC Transpo bus passes (ECOPASS)
Teleconferencing/Videoconferencing available
Bike parking with installation of cameras in defined locations
Access to numerous walking/running trails as well as playing fields
Source: www.carleton.ca , www.cutaactu.ca and survey responses
University of Victoria
Organization Name: University of Victoria (UVIC)
Program start date: September 2002
Overview: The University of Victoria has approximately 17,000 students and 4,800 employees and is
located on Vancouver Island. The campus itself is surrounded by an extensive network of walking paths
and cycling routes. In order to preserve the unique campus atmosphere, TDM is a critical component of
campus planning and long term development.
The UVic Campus Plan outlines the University’s commitment to reducing single occupant vehicles and
supporting affordable sustainable transportation programs. Other principles in the plan support smart
growth, construction of new buildings on parking lots, a commitment to no new surface parking, and
protection of green spaces. The Transportation and Parking Goal from the 2003 Campus Plan is to:
Reduce motor vehicle traffic to the campus and to encourage increased use of public transit, cycling and
walking. Key Objectives include:
1. To shift the mode of travel from the Single Occupant Vehicle to either High Occupant
Vehicles (carpool, rideshare, public transit etc.) or Active Transportation (cycling, walking,
roller-blading etc).
2. To reduce the number of commuter trips by students, faculty, and staff to and from the
University of Victoria.
3. To shift travel time away from peak hours to reduce traffic congestion and improve local air
quality.
4. To demonstrate leadership within the Capital Regional District in order to transform social
culture
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Comprehensive Traffic Audits conducted every 4 years
• On-site amenities (child care, movie theatre, pharmacy, ATM, fitness facility, teleconference,
videoconference)
• Universal Buss Pass Program for Undergraduate and Graduate Students ($56 per semester per
student)
• Extensive cycling support: over 1000 bike parking spaces, 6 covered shelters, over 100 bike
lockers, over 500 clothing lockers, compressed air hose, cycling route kiosk, free commuter
cycling skills courses for faculty and staff, UVic Bicycle User’s Committee, annual cyclist
visibility campaign, participation and sponsorship in annual Greater Victoria Bike to Work
Week.
• On-site transit ticket/pass sales
• Fleet vehicles for employee use
• Carsharing on-site
• Carpooling program with designated stalls
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Electric vehicles get a designated parking stall and costs of connection are covered by the
university.
Idle free zones throughout campus
Facilities Management bike fleet and electric gators: instead of using gas powered vehicles, staff
uses bicycles and electric utility carts for maintenance and operational tasks.
BC Transit Pro-pass for Employees
All new buildings designed with showers and change-rooms to support active transportation.
SPOKES Bike Bursary Program for Undergraduate Students
Parking fees have increased by 47.5% over the past 4 years
Upcoming program additions September 2005:
• Full time TDM coordinator
• Development of internal on-line ridematching program for students, faculty and staff
• Creation of University Employee Bus Pass (offered at $38 per month, compared to $60 per
month for adult bus pass in Victoria)
• Creation of the Rideshare Parking Permit which allows for priority parking until 10am
• Development of the 3 day parking pass in which those participating must commit to taking
alternatives 2 days a week
• Upgrades to campus crosswalks and pedestrian crossings
• Facility improvements to campus bus shelters (partnership with BC Transit)
• Formation of university telecommuting policy
• Additional bike shelters
• Phase in of hybrid vehicles to campus security fleet (5 year turnover)
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory
• Construct additional scooter/motorbike parking
• Develop image and communication strategy around campus TDM program to link initiatives
and connect back to planning: UVic Commutes Program
Additionally, the University is currently working with staff and elected officials of municipal councils to
amend parking bylaw requirements with campus new developments.
Measurable Changes in Transportation Patterns:
Travel Mode
2000 Audit
Auto drivers
54.4
Auto passengers
11.0%
Transit Passengers
17.8%
Cyclists
Pedestrians
Skateboarding or
rollerblading
5.5%
11.3%
n/a
2004 Audit
47.1%
11.8%
26.2%
6.0%
8.7%
0.2%
Source: www.uvic.ca/fmgt and survey responses
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York University
Organization Name: York University
Program start date: 2001
Overview: York University has approximately 7,000 faculty and staff, and 50,000 students spread over
two campuses in the GTA. It is the largest university campus in Canada. In addition over 85% of the
students and 90% of the staff have home addresses in the GTA. This results in a total of over 1,000
buses a day that serve York, making it the largest transit hub in the GTA without a subway. York
University was instrumental in the launch of the Black Creek Regional Transportation Management
Association and has played a key role in the TMAs ongoing sustainability. York University embraced and
led alternative transportation programming and incentives in the GTA and continues to be a champion
for sustainable alternative transportation. York University is currently planning a pilot vanpool that will
travel from Barrie to the Keele campus.
Current program elements:
• Full-time TDM coordinator
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, fitness facility, teleconference, videoconference)
• On-site transit ticket/pass sales
• GRH program and ridematching through the Smart Commute Assoc. of Black Creek
• Extensive transit service (1000 buses arrive at the campus each day, new regional express
bus services, new GO Train station near the campus and discounted TTC passes)
Source: www.csbo.yorku.ca/transportation , www.cutaactu.ca ; www.bcrtma.ca and survey responses
University of Waterloo
Organization Name: University of Waterloo
Program start date: 1991
Overview: The University of Waterloo has approximately 2,900 faculty and staff, and 21,000 students.
The University has been participating in the Commuter Challenge since 2000, and competitions on
campus are between students in each faculty and the faculty and staff. Many of the program innovations
are the result of student research papers. For example, a 1995 research project revealed that students
were driving from their residences on campus, to another parking lot, closer to their classes. Since then,
Parking Services only issues one parking pass per person, minimizing the number of short on-campus
driving trips.
Current program elements:
• The Turnkey Ride Board: a ride board, located in the Student Life Centre, that has been
matching drivers and riders since 1987
• Ride Exchange Inc. - a private enterprise linking drivers with riders
• Free Carpooling Service CarpoolTool.com - Commuting within Kitchener-Waterloo Cambridge - Guelph
• UW's Bike Centre: - to repair bicycles while campus
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, fitness facility, teleconference, videoconference)
• Bicycle Resource Centre - Recycle Cycles – Offers reconditioned bicycles to buy and a
facility to repair bikes.
Source: www.uwaterloo.ca ; www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infowast/Transportation/transportation.html and survey responses
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University of Calgary
Organization Name: University of Calgary
Program start date: 1991
Overview: The University of Calgary has approximately 4,800 faculty and staff, and 29,000
students. The University of Calgary is an active participant in The City of Calgary’s alternative
transportation outreach initiative, the Carpool.ca promotion. The media advertising and leveraging
of this community-wide program helps the University with its carpooling initiative. The
implementation of the U-pass resulted in an increase in transit ridership of 35% with a
corresponding decrease in demand for onsite parking.
Current program elements:
• Ridematching service through the City of Calgary’s Carpool.ca initiative
• Transit/ticket pass sales on-site
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, fitness facility, teleconference, videoconference)
• Fleet vehicle for employee use
• Free bike racks and premium “for fee” bike lockers
• U-Pass for full-time students
• Transportation Fairs
Source: www.ucalgary.ca/parking and survey responses
Wilfrid Laurier University
Organization Name: Wilfrid Laurier University
Program start date: N/A
Overview: Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) has approximately 1,100 faculty and staff, and 9,500
students and is located in the City of Waterloo. The University works with the Community and the
Region in promoting the use of transit and bikes. Future plans include a secure bike area, installing more
bike racks. WLU has implemented a parking management initiative to reduce the number of students
parking on campus who are close enough to walk, bike or take transit conveniently. The University
sponsors student events such as Car Free Day, by donating items like bike helmets for prizes. This year
there will be a student referendum to vote on the U-Pass.
Current program elements:
• Transit/ticket pass sales on-site
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, fitness facility, teleconference, videoconference)
• Trip planning events (transit and bike shops/interest groups)
• Bike loan program commencing soon
• Students within a 4km radius do not qualify for a parking pass
• Fleet vehicle for employee use
• Transportation fairs
Source www.wlu.ca and survey responses
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Algonquin College
Organization Name: Algonquin College
Program start date: 2003
Overview: Algonquin College is located in the west end of Ottawa, immediately adjacent to a transitway
station. There are approximately 2,400 faculty and staff, and 47,000 students at this location and the
existing transit ridership rate to the campus is 70% (Jan 2005). Despite the high transit ridership,
Algonquin College recognizes the value in supporting and encouraging alternative transportation.
Current program elements:
• Transit/ticket pass sales on-site
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, fitness facility, teleconference, videoconference)
• Taxis for employee use
• Carpool parking
Source www.algonquincollege.com and survey responses
McMaster University:
Organization Name: McMaster University
Program start date: 2002
Overview: McMaster University is located in Hamilton with approximately 3,500 faculty and staff,
and 22,000 students. An Alternative Commuting & Transportation (ACT) Office was created in
July 2002, to inspire McMaster faculty, staff and students to bike, hike, take transit and share the
ride to campus. The mandate of the ACT Office is to reduce the demand for parking at McMaster
and in surrounding neighbourhoods through increased awareness of alternatives and enhanced
services and infrastructure. Active in event planning, research, program development, the TDM
coordinator works with both campus and community partners, including transit agencies serving
the campus leverage alternative transportation.
Current program elements:
• Transit/ticket pass sales on-site
• Direct transit promotion
• Free tours on local transit offered to incoming students during "Welcome Day" event to
familiarize them with transit services and Hamilton
•
U-Pass for full-time undergrad and grad students (negotiated through student representative
bodies)
• pilots of new transit routes
• free bus ticket incentives for incoming students to visit the campus
• free bus ticket incentives for alternative transportation supportive events such as Earth Day,
during Commuter Challenge, Car Free Day
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, fitness facility, teleconference, videoconference)
• Carpool ridematching (carpool.ca)
• Pedestrian-priority campus core which excludes all but authorized vehicles (authorized vehicles
include transit, bicycles, service/delivery vehicles, campus shuttles)
• Carpool parking
• Extensive cycling support
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Bike buddy program to link experienced and novice cyclists
Cycling education
McMaster Cycling Committee advises the University/ACT Office on cycling matters
Cyclist email distribution list)
Source http://act.mcmaster.ca; www.mcmaster.ca and survey responses
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT Polytechnic)
Organization Name: SAIT Polytechnic
Program start date: 2001
Overview: SAIT is conveniently located in the centre of The City of Calgary. It began its
alternative transportation program with a Universal Transit Pass for students in partnership with
Calgary Transit and expanded in 2002 with The City of Calgary's community outreach initiative,
Carpool.ca.
Current program elements:
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM, fitness facility, teleconference, videoconference)
• U-Pass for students and staff
• On-site transit ticket/pass sales
• Bike storage
• Ridematching service through the City of Calgary’s Carpool.ca initiative
Results: The key to SAIT's TDM program has been the popularity of the UPass. Transit ridership
among students and staff increased 38% in the first year, and has steadily increased each year since.
Source www.sait.ab.ca and survey responses
Hospitals
Grand River Hospital
Organization Name: Grand River Hospital, Kitchener
Program start date: 2002
Overview The Grand River Hospital (GRH) worked closely with the Region of Waterloo to
establish an employer based alternative transportation program. The collaboration began in early
2000 and has evolved into the ‘GRH Commutes’ program
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Onsite amenities (child care, ATM)
• On-site transit ticket/pass sales
• Carsharing
• Subsidized corporate bus passes
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Secure bike cage only staff can access
Reduced parking costs for carpoolers and reserved covered spaces
Guaranteed ride home
Commuter options information in new hire packages
GRH Community package
Source www.grh.on.ca and survey responses
St. Mary’s General Hospital
Organization Name: St Mary’s General Hospital, Kitchener
Program start date: 2002
Overview The St. Mary’s General Hospital (SMGH) worked closely with the Region of Waterloo
to establish an employer based alternative transportation program. The collaboration began in
early 2000 and has evolved into the St. Mary’s Advocates Responsible Transportation (SMART)
program
Current program elements:
• Part-time TDM coordinator
• Onsite amenities ( ATM)
• On-site transit ticket/pass sales
• Taxi for employee use
• Ridematching (carpool.ca)
• SMART display board
Source www.smgh.ca and survey responses
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Community Programs and Initiatives
Overview
Community-based alternative transportation outreach programs, offered by the local or
regional municipal government or the local or regional NGO typically target
employers, youth and the general public. Usually characterized by focusing on a broad
outreach audience (employers, institutions, youth and the general public), these
community-based programs and initiatives serve to raise the profile, acceptance and
importance of alternative transportation.
The most active community-based programs are those that are local/regional NGOs,
such as Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST), Ecology Action Centre
(TRAX) and Resource Conservation Manitoba, or programs run by the Regional
Transit Authority, such as TransLink’s On Board or Go Green Choices (with BEST)
and AMT’s Allégo program.
Summary of programs in Canada
The most intensive and well funded alternative transportation programs are those run
as part of a Regional Transit Authority’s mandate. Heavily funded by the Province,
these programs have the staff, mandate and on-going funding to ensure a program’s
success. There are two such initiatives in Canada, TransLink in Vancouver, BC and
Agence Métropolitaine de Transport (AMT) in Montreal, QC. The alternative
transportation programs, initiatives, services and tools offered by these organizations
are renowned internationally.
The next ‘tier’ of community-based programs are those offered by the local/regional
environmentally based NGOs. Some of the key leading programs of this nature in
Canada are Resource Conservation Manitoba, Winnipeg; Ecology Action Centre
(TRAX) Halifax, NS, and Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) in
Vancouver, BC. These programs are environmentally focused and offer the direct
outreach, event coordination and contact with employers, schools and the general
public in each location. BEST, as one of the originators of alternative transportation
outreach initiatives in Canada, supports TransLink in its Go Green Choices employer
outreach initiative and On Board program.
Finally, alternative transportation programs, initiatives, services and tools are often
offered by the local or municipal government directly, often in partnership or
collaboration with other stakeholders.
Program element description
Alternative transportation program delivery to the community is generally focused on
the following key areas:
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Event coordination: Commuter Challenge, Bike Week, Walk to School week,
Car Free Day
Employer Outreach: trip reduction program education and outreach, surveys,
site assessments, ridematching assistance, toolkits, etc.
School Outreach: Active and Safe Routes to School,
Specifically, the following elements are offered to the community by these various
groups:
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Profiles of community-based programs
Regional Transit Authority community-based profiles
TransLink – On Board Program
Organization name: TransLink, BC
Program start date: 1992 (OnBoard began in 1992)
Number active employer participants: 160
Overview: TransLink’s OnBoard Program promotes awareness of, and facilitates the use of,
transportation alternatives to the single occupant vehicle (SOV). It provides the employer and TransLink
with the opportunity to identify, promote, and facilitate the implementation of more cost-effective
transportation choices at the employer’s worksite. Benefits for employers and employees include: ·
TransLink also provides funding for the BEST Go Green Choices program.
-
Time savings & financial savings ·
Options/choices for commuting ·
Reducing traffic congestion ·
Enhancing quality of life and workplace
A positive public image of a socially responsible company through the use of initiatives such as:
o Employer discount transit pass
o Ridesharing / carpooling / vanpooling
o Commuter Car Share/Pool Vehicles
o Cycling
o Telecommuting
o Parking Management Strategies
o Shuttle buses
The OnBoard program analyses the results of an employee survey, management interviews, and a
location assessment, to produce a report and recommendations tailored for individual organizations and
their employees.
Source: www.translink.bc.ca/Commuting_Options website; survey results
Agence Métropolitaine de Transport (AMT)
Organization name: Agence Métropolitaine de Transport (AMT), Montreal
Program start date: 2000
Overview: The AMT, with the support of the Quebec Department of Transport (MTQ), has overseen
the implementation of alternative transportation programs in the Metropolitan Montreal Area. The
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Allégo Program (named in 2003) has allowed some 20 transportation demand management pilot projects
to be carried out using two approaches:
•
•
The “individual” approach, with measures applied at a workplace or place of learning by a
business or institution
The “cluster” approach, with measures applied to an employment area by a transportation
management centre (TMC), to meet the needs of area businesses and institutions
These projects involved expenditures of $1.66 million, with $1.0 million coming from the MTQ and
$0.65 million from the AMT. They affect 14,500 businesses, more than 50,000 employees and 28,000
students.
Current program elements:
• Sharing of transportation demand management expertise
• Conducting feasibility studies with partners to help to develop projects tailored to local needs
• Free access to carpooling software
• Information booth
• Trial metropolitan transit pass (TRAM card), a marketing device targeted directly at employees
who travel alone in their cars, allowing them to try public transit free for a month
• Allégo kit, a reference tool for businesses and institutions and an information and awarenessraising tool for TMCs.
• Allégo training for businesses, institutions, TMCs and transportation partners
• Annual Allégo show and presentation of the Allégo merit award
• Mass-transit annual subscription pilot project: turnkey service for employers that offers
employees a chance to buy 12 passes for the price of 11.
The Allégo Program has fostered the set up of 4 TMCs (Note: a TMC is the same as a Transportation
Management Association – TMA):
• Smart Commuting, sponsored by the real-estate developer Cité Multimédia, was the first TMC
launched, in January 2001. In May 2002, it became an independent non-profit organization. Its
territory covers the whole of downtown Montreal
• The Saint-Laurent Commuter Management Centre began operation in November 2001. It is
located on the premises of the Economic Development Department of the Borough of SaintLaurent.
• The Centre de gestion des déplacements de l’Est (the east-end transportation management
centre) began operation in December 2001 through an initiative of the economic development
corporations (Société de développement économique Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-auxTrembles – Montréal-Est―SODEC) of Rivière-des-Prairies, Pointe-aux-Trembles and
Montreal East.
• Allégo Laval was launched in March 2004 in a partnership between the Laval Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (Chambre de commerce et d’industries de Laval―CCIL) and the Laval
Transit Corporation.
Results
Since 1999, some 20 Allégo projects have been carried out in the Metropolitan Montreal Area with AMT
technical assistance.
• Fourteen projects initiated by employers that can potentially reach 51,000 employees and 28,000
students directly
• Three TMCs and one private-public partnership associated with a TMC. These can potentially
raise the awareness of and mobilize roughly 14,460 employers.
• Two carpooling projects managed by the Lower Laurentian CIT and the City of Châteauguay
and serving 190,000 citizens from their places of residence
Source: excerpts from the www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP Urban Transportation Showcase site, Case Studies
website
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NGO community-based profiles
Resource Conservation Manitoba
Organization: Resource Conservation Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Program start date: 1997
Number of years offering alternative transportation programs: 5
Staff: 6
Annual TDM budget, excluding staff: $40,000
Number active employer participants: 4
Number of active school participants: 5 (elementary and secondary)
Overview: Resource Conservation Manitoba’s Green Commuting Initiatives (GCI) promotes
sustainable and active transportation practices in Winnipeg workplaces and schools by encouraging
cycling, walking, transit and carpooling.
Resource Conservation Manitoba, an environmental non-governmental organization that leads the
way in providing community-based trip reduction programs for schools and workplaces in
Manitoba, currently coordinates two programs aimed at alternative transportation for commuters
and two programs directed to youth in the community:
•
•
•
•
Commuter Challenge – An annual public outreach project that fosters friendly
competition between workplaces and schools to adopt alternative forms of transportation
during National Environment Week
Going Green – A pilot project to provide TDM tools to Winnipeg workplaces that build
capacity in supporting alternatives to the single occupant vehicle
Off ramp Manitoba – A secondary school vehicle trip reduction program designed to
encourage high school students to become leaders in the green commuting initiative at
their schools
Active and Safe Routes to School – An active transportation program that works with
parents and teachers to get elementary school-aged children to and from school in a safe
and more sustainable manner, including walking and cycling7
Current program elements:
RCM offers a full range of services to area employers and schools, including:
• Employer toolkit
• Training for employee transportation coordinators
7
www.resourceconservationmanitoba.ca; www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/utsp Showcase Case Study
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Employee survey funding or assistance
Transportation fair assistance
Programming assistance
Strategic development assistance
Marketing or promotional materials
Toolkit to assist special events organizers in accommodating and promoting the use of
TDM-friendly modes of transportation
Financial incentives (cash or in-kind) to assist special events organizers in encouraging
and/or providing for the use of TDM-friendly modes of transportation
Newsletter/on-going communications
workshops; campaign support; limited funding, prizes and incentives
Source: excerpts from www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/utsp case studies, www.resourceconservationmanitoba.ca and
survey responses
Ecology Action Centre (TRAX)
Organization: Ecology Action Centre, Halifax, NS
Program start date: 1997
Number of years offering alternative transportation programs: 5
TDM Staff: 1
Annual TDM budget, excluding staff: $125,000
Number active employer participants: 13
Number of active school participants: 125 (elementary and secondary)
Overview: The Ecology Action Centre (TRAX) works to promote sustainable transportation (public
transit, cycling, walking, carpooling, vanpooling, or a combination of modes) in Nova Scotia through trip
reduction programs, public education, advocacy and outreach. The aim is to enhance air quality, reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, make our communities safer and more just, and promote health and well-being
of all citizens.8 TRAX has also developed the “Two Feet “nursing program. This is an employee health
program using Dalhousie nursing students and one-on-one sessions to introduce employees to the
benefits of integrating active transportation in their daily routines.
Current program elements:
TRAX offers a full range of services to area employers and schools, including:
• Employer toolkit
• Training for employee transportation coordinators
• Employee survey funding or assistance
• Transportation fair assistance
• Programming assistance
• Strategic development assistance
• Marketing or promotional materials
8
www.trax.ns.ca
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Toolkit to assist special events organizers in accommodating and promoting the use of
TDM-friendly modes of transportation
Financial incentives (cash or in-kind) to assist special events organizers
Newsletter/on-going communications
Ridematching (carpool.ca)
Region/citywide awards program
Event organization (Car Free Day, Commuter Challenge, Bike Week, etc.)
School programs (ASRTS, Walk to School Week)
excerpts from www.trax.ns.ca and survey responses
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST)
Organization: Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST)
Program start date: 1991
TDM Staff: 8-15
Number of years offering alternative transportation programs: 13
Annual TDM budget, excluding staff: $n/a
Number active employer participants: 150
Number of active school participants: not available (elementary and secondary)
Overview: Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) is the largest non-profit organization
in Canada with a mission to foster sustainable transportation. Over the past 13 years, BEST has
developed a range of initiatives to promote sustainable forms of transportation in the workplace, school
and community including programs such as Go Green Choices, Off-Ramp, Bike Month and Street
Reclaiming. BEST developed the first Canadian workplace commuting options program, Go Green
Choices in 1997 and has run the Commuter Challenge in the Greater Vancouver Area since 1996.
TransLink, the regional transit authority, contracts BEST to deliver workplace commuting options
programs, Go Green Choices and OnBoard. In 2002, BEST organized and hosted the first
Transportation Demand Management conference in Canada. BEST is active in promoting facilities that
lead to healthier travel choices and has been successful in coordinating with municipal partners to develop
the Central Valley Greenway, a cross-regional, active transportation facility. Since its inception, BEST has
led the call for dramatic improvements to transportation policy and planning in the greater Vancouver
region, and across Canada. Through policy, consultation, research and communications, BEST pushes
for better urban planning, cleaner air, and sustainable, equitable and efficient transportation systems.
BEST’s programs are innovative and have set the stage for other outreach initiatives across Canada.
Current program elements:
• Employer toolkit
• Training for employee transportation coordinators
• Employee survey funding or assistance
• Transportation fair assistance
• Programming assistance
• Strategic development assistance
• Marketing or promotional materials
• Public lectures
• Workshops/seminars, site assessments
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•
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•
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•
•
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Customized consulting services
Brochure racks for Go Green Choices materials
Toolkit to assist special events organizers in accommodating and promoting the use of
TDM-friendly modes of transportation
Financial incentives (cash or in-kind) to assist special events organizers in encouraging
and/or providing for the use of TDM-friendly modes of transportation
Newsletter/on-going communications
Ridematching (Jack Bell rideshare)
Region/citywide awards program
Event organization (Car Free Day, Commuter Challenge, Bike Week, etc.)
School programs (ASRTS, Walk to School Week)
Youth leadership training
Advisor to Cambie Corridor Consortium
excerpts from www.best.bc.ca and www.gogreen.com/choices and survey responses
Pollution Probe
Organization Name: Pollution Probe
Program start date: 2002
Number of years offering alternative transportation programs: Since 2002
Annual TDM budget, excluding staff: $20,000
Number active employer participants: 10 and 3 hospitals
Overview: Pollution Probe developed the “S.M.A.R.T Movement: Saving Money and the Air by
Reducing Trips” alternative transportation guide to assist employers with implementing programs. They
are currently actively involved with a number of employers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Pollution Probe is an NGO recognized for their leadership policy work. They offer media launch
assistance, site assessment, coordinator networking, other event assistance (i.e. lunch and learn, service
provider assistance/advice, etc). Pollution Probe is the GTA coordinator/originator of the Clean Air
Commute.
Current program elements:
• Employer toolkit (Smart Movement) produced in 2001
• Employee survey funding or assistance
• Transportation fair assistance
• Strategic development assistance
• Marketing/promotional materials
• Media launch assistance
• Site assessments
• Coordinator networking
• Lunch and learn
Source: www.pollutionprobe.ca and survey results
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Local/regional government community-based profiles
Resort Municipality of Whistler
Organization Name: Resort Municipality of Whistler
Program start date: 1999
Number of years offering alternative transportation programs: Since 2002
Annual TDM budget, excluding staff: $20,000
Number active employer participants: 10
Overview: The Resort Municipality of Whistler is unique in Canada in that the alternative transportation
program, “Whistler Way” is focuses on a resort community with a very high transient (or vacationing)
population. RMOW is responsible for TDM and alternative transportation community wide.
Current program elements:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Full time TDM coordinator
2 week Whistler Way Commuter Challenge (held outside of the National Commuter
Challenge) and is open to Whistler residents and employees
One Tonne Challenge community challenge
Employer transit pass pilot program.
Guaranteed ride home
Organize and run alternative transportation awareness programs such as Commuter
Challenge
Ridematching service (Jack Bell Rideshare)
Vanpooling
Awards programs
Express shuttle service
Bike racks and ski racks on all local buses
Source: www.whistler.ca, wwwlbusonline.ca. and survey results
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City of Calgary, Alberta
Organization Name: City of Calgary, Alberta
Program start date: 2002
Number of years offering alternative transportation programs: 3
Annual TDM budget, excluding staff: $100,000
Number active employer participants: 36
Overview: In 2002, The City of Calgary partnered with Commuter Connections to develop, implement
and promote an Internet-based carpool program for the Calgary area (carpool.ca) piloted at the City’s
largest employers By the end of March 2003 nearly 1,000 Calgarians had registered with Carpool.ca to
take advantage of the ride matching service. Surveys conducted by Commuter Connections indicate that
143 carpools were formed in these first few months taking approximately 250 cars off the road each day.
With additional funding from the federal government's Climate Change Action Fund and EcoAction as
well as Alberta's Climate Change Central the program was expanded to provide Calgary's entire
population with access to the free ride matching services of Carpool.ca. Stage two was officially launched
with the declaration of Rideshare Week October 20, 2003.
Carpooling was promoted in a number of ways during Rideshare Week. Television and radio public
service announcements were developed and aired. Carpool.ca banners were hung over six of Calgary's
most heavily traveled roadways. The Alternative Transportation message was taken to three locations:
Bow Valley Square, the University of Calgary and to the Environment Expo at the Harry Hays Building.
The website received 30,000 hits during Rideshare Week. During Calgary's first annual Rideshare Week
(October 2003), 634 carpools were reportedly formed with participants reducing their travel by 31 million
kilometers annually. The public cost savings are estimated at $9.8 million per year with reductions in
greenhouse gases emissions of over 7,000 tonnes annually. This translates to an estimated 2000 auto trips
removed from Calgary's peak hours each day.9 Calgary's rideshare program continues to grow as a
result of the continued partnerships developed between the corporate community in Stage 1 and
the media in Stage 2. As of January 2005, over 2800 Calgary commuters had participated in the
Carpool.ca program. In collaboration with the branded carpool.ca outreach program, the City of Calgary
offers a comprehensive and extensive range of alternative transportation programming, tools, services and
initiatives, such as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
9
Ridematching service (carpool.ca)
Cycling skills training
Commuter Challenge campaign or equivalent
Transportation fairs
Transit on demand service for persons with disabilities (i.e. specialized, paratransit,
DART, etc.)
Real time transit information
Expanded/extended transfer capabilities (i.e. timed transfer)
Universal transit pass included in tuition fees for college or university students (i.e. UPass)
Bike lockers at major transit terminals
www.calgray.ca
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•
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•
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Park and Bike sites along the pathway network integrate drive and cycle modes
Transit signal priority
Shared HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes
Free parking for transit pass users at transit hubs
Promotional materials (TV and radio communications, etc)
The City of Calgary is also actively partnering with local organizations through the Clean Air Strategic
Alliance (CASA) to engage member organizations in alternative transportation programs. The CASA
board has recently approved several recommendations that it hopes will get more Albertans out of their
cars and onto buses and bikes, including asking member companies to evaluate and assess their current
use of TDM measures, to consider implementing or modifying their programs as appropriate, and report
back to the team in three years. Urban municipalities will be encouraged to promote such programs in
their regions, and the team will also work with the CASA Communications Committee to develop
communications tools to help with implementation and reporting on employer-based TDM measures.10
Source: www.calgary.ca ; www.casahome.org and survey results
Region of Waterloo TravelWise Program
Organization Name: Region of Waterloo TravelWise Program, Waterloo, ON
Program start date: 2000
Overview: The Region of Waterloo’s Travelwise program is a Transportation Demand Management
program geared toward meeting the Region’s Transportation Master Plan stated goal of 7% reduction in
total auto trips by the year 2016. The RTMP’s 14-step action plan identified various TDM strategies
focusing on public transit enhancements, bicycling and pedestrian facilities and TDM supportive land
uses. It also identified the need to hire a TDM staff member to initiate and maintain TDM strategies
within and between all municipalities.
One of the first initiatives was assisting two large employers seeking to manage their significant growth.
Grand River Hospital and Clarica Insurance (now SunLife) launched employer TDM programs as part of
a project funded partially by Transport Canada’s Intelligent Transportation Systems program. Looking to
the future generation of drivers, school educational opportunities were targeted and resulted in an awardwinning* curriculum supplement for Grade 3 students. The infancy years of the Region’s program has
generated the interest of other municipal (Regional and Local) staff and the decision-makers. It is
encouraging to see opportunities to improve the walking, cycling and transit environment and implement
TDM-supportive land uses are being identified and acted upon by other related disciplines, namely
engineering, traffic, construction and health.
Current program elements in place or in development:
• Full-time TDM Planner in Planning, Housing and Community Services
• Commuter Challenge participation for last 5 years
• Improved transit services and support (6% annual increase in service hours since 2000,
corporate transit pass, Urban Transportation Showcase Program project Central Transit
Corridor express service, higher-order transit service Environmental Assessment underway,)
• Improved cycling network and support (Regional Cycling Master Plan updated including a
prioritized network and supporting strategies, 85 km of regional bike routes built since 2000,
Regional Cycling Advisory Committee,
10
www.casahome.org
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Cyclework - a bike skills training course for adult cyclists offered, bike racks on transit buses,
bike parking at transit stations)
Further development of employer programs, including one underway for Regional staff
Improved pedestrian environment (improved accessibility to transit stations, raising community
and staff awareness of pedestrian issues)
TDM supportive land uses (review development applications for support of TDM goals, new
Regional Growth Management Strategy identifies more compact, mixed use development along
a Central Transit Corridor to address expected growth, Official Plan being updated to reflect
RGMS, CITE's Canadian Guide to Promoting Sustainable Transportation Through Site Design
being introduced to community)
Community events to raise awareness of TDM and opportunities to encourage behaviour change
ASRTS is being implemented in the community through a multi-stakeholder group including
public health/NGO partnership. ASRTS is currently working with 5 schools.
www.waterloo.ca and survey results
City of Peterborough, Ontario
Organization Name: City of Peterborough, ON
Program start date: 2001
Overview: Peterborough Green-Up's alternative transportation outreach initiative, Peterborough
Moves, was launched for environmental, community and health reasons and initially focused on youth in
2001. It is now in the development stages for offering employer outreach and is a partnership with the
City, local health and Peterborough Green-Up. A dedicated website has been developed that focuses on
all commuter options and includes a link to a free ridematching site. A month-long commuter challenge,
Shifting Gears, was started in 2004 and was very successful in its first year. There is an active ASRTS
program that is complemented by an Active and Safe Community Routes initiative.
Current program elements:
• Full time TDM coordinator
• Partnerships with Health unit and local green community
• Program to encourage walking and cycling
• International walk to school l day
• Anti-idling program
• Ridematching (carpoolTool.com)
• Month long Commuter Challenge
Working on improving options available by:
• undertaking transit improvements in co-ordination with TDM initiatives
• working on walking and cycling infrastructure through off-road trail developments, on-road
cycling lane expansions and a sidewalk inventory/plan
Source: www.city.peterborough.on.ca; www.peterboroughmoves.com and survey results
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City of London, Ontario
Organization Name: City of London, ON
Number active employer participants: under development
Number of active school participants: Approx. 120
Overview: The City of London offers internal programming to its employees and external outreach to
Londoners and London businesses. Recently the City hosted a 1-day TDM workshop. The City’s
program is now under development and evolving. As part of this, Council approved the re-packaging of
the community TDM Program to Solution to Help Individuals Find Transportation (SHIFT)
Alternatives Program as part of the Air Quality Moving Forward Locally strategy.
Current program elements for employees, individuals or the business community:
• Full time TDM coordinator
• Transit pass/ticket sales
• Bike parking, showers
• School walking route signage
• Strategic development assistance
• U-pass
• Marketing materials
• Commuter challenge participation
• Transportation fairs/events
Source: www.london.ca and survey results
City of Moncton, Nova Scotia
Organization Name: City of Moncton, NS
Overview: The City of Moncton offers both internal and external alternative transportation outreach
initiatives.
Current program elements:
• Active transportation Master Plan
• Minimum bike parking standards
• Youth programs (11 elementary, 3 secondary)
• Employer toolkit
• Cycling skills training
• Commuter Challenge
• Bike festival
• Bike racks on buses
Source: www.moncton.ca and survey results
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City of Abbotsford, British Columbia
Organization Name: City of Abbotsford, BC
Overview: The City of Abbotsford offers both internal and external alternative transportation outreach
initiatives.
Current program elements:
• Ridematching
• Vanpooling
• Toolkit for event organizers
• Newsletter/on-going communications
• International Walk to School campaign
• Program to encourage walking and cycling by students
Source: www.abbotsford.ca and survey results
City of Kelowna, British Columbia
Organization Name: City of Kelowna, BC
Program start date: 2000
Annual TDM budget, excluding staff: $75,000
Overview: The City of Kelowna program, i-go, offers both internal and external alternative
transportation outreach initiatives. To maintain livability and community mobility, the City of Kelowna
forged a unique partnership with the Regional District of the Central Okanagan and was later joined by
Westbank First Nations to develop and implement a region-wide Transportation Demand Management
(TDM) program. Administered by the City’s Transportation Department, the TDM program is widely
regarded as the most developed program outside of Greater Vancouver.11
Current program elements:
• Parking maximums
• Minimum bike parking standards at new developments
• Shower standards at new developments
• Toolkit to assist special event organizers
• Program to encourage youth
• International walk to school campaign
• Ridematching service (carpool.ca)
• Commuter Challenge participation
11
www.tc.gc.ca/
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Source: www.kelowna.ca www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP and survey results
Town of Banff, Alberta
Organization Name: Town of Banff, AB
Program start date: 2001
Overview: The Town of Banff provides internal and external alternative transportation outreach.
Current program elements:
• Ridematching (purchased from supplier)
• Transit ticket/ pass sales
Source: www.banff.ca and survey results
TMA Programs and Initiatives
Overview
There are relatively few existing Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) in
Canada at the present time. Leveraging the benefits of alternative transportation
outreach by focusing on a specific and usually defined geographical area TMAs offer a
targeted approach for encouraging and supporting alternative transportation programs.
They are often comparable to the community initiatives in the services they offer to
employers, but are typically targeted to a defined geographical area. In addition, TMAs
traditionally only focus on employer or institutional programming and incentives and
do not address youth transportation issues.
Summary of TMA programs in Canada
The first TMA in Canada was the Cambie Corridor Consortium in British Columbia
that was formed to address the unique needs of the Vancouver General Hospital in
1995. The Black Creek Regional Transportation Management Association was formed
in 2001 as a collaborative initiative amongst many stakeholders as a pilot for the GTA
region. Centered on York University, it was the platform that launched the new Smart
Commute project in the GTA under the Urban Transportation Showcase Program.
The AMT collaborated in the launch of the Cite Multimedia TMA at around the same
time, leading to a total of 4 TMAs in the Montreal area.
TMAs by province/city
TMAs in Canada are located in the most densely populated urban cities of Montreal,
Vancouver and in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Three TMA survey respondents
were from the Montreal area, two were from the GTA and one from Vancouver.
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TMAs Program element description
The services currently offered by these TMAs are highlighted in the chart below:
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Based on the survey results, the most valued service offered by the TMA is advocacy,
ridematching and the provision of transit discounts.
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TMAs themselves saw that the most needed elements for them to better service
employers are improved marketing/sales skills training, TDM-specific design training,
and advice on partnership building service development and implementation of TDM
programs.
Profiles of TMA programs
TMA profiles
Cambie Corridor Consortium
Organization Name: Cambie Corridor Consortium
Program start date: 1995
Number of employer members: 20
Budget, excluding staff: $30,000
Overview: As the first TMA in Canada, the Cambie Corridor Consortium (CCC) has led the way for
others in the Country. Key program elements include:
•
A shuttle bus service was implemented to transport hospital staff between sites, and today the bus
makes approximately 2,100 trips per month carrying 9,000 passengers. The CCC also uses the shuttle
bus to transport equipment, supplies, and documents between sites, saving member hospitals
approximately $200,000 each year in courier costs.
•
Van pooling services were arranged through the Jack Bell Foundation (www.ride-share.com) and are
used by approximately 200 employees. Another 500+ staff member’s carpool.
•
CCC worked with B.C. Transit on an 18-month pilot project that implemented a payroll deduction
program that allows employees to purchase their bus pass at a 15% discount.
•
To respond to the needs of employees, and address some of the barriers expressed in the initial
surveys, an emergency ride home has been implemented. CCC has a contract with a local taxi
company and employees are given vouchers if they need to leave work in case of illness or
emergency. To avoid abuse of the program, employees are allowed up to four emergency rides home
per year
•
Also in response to employee requests, additional shower and change facilities, and secure bike cages
were installed at some of the members' work sites “12
12
www.toolsofchange.com
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Source: www.toolsofchange.com; survey results
Smart Commute GTA and Hamilton Association
Organization Name: Smart Commute contributing partners include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Region of York
Region of Peel
Region of Halton
Region of Durham
City of Toronto
City of Hamilton
Town of Markham
Town of Richmond Hill
City of Mississauga
City of Vaughan
City of Newmarket
City of Brampton
City of Burlington
Program start date: 2004
Overview: In 2004 the GTA received funding from the Urban Transportation Showcase Program
(UTSP) to set up a GTA-Hamilton wide series of TMAs under a broader ‘umbrella’ Smart Commute
organization. At present the higher tier organization is under development, but its growth and range of
services offered will be significant in the 2005-2007 timeframe. One established and one fledgling TMA
under Smart Commute are now operational, and are highlighted in the next two descriptions.
Source: research, www.tc.gc.ca/prgrams/environment/UTSP, future www.SmartCommute.ca website
Smart Commute 404-7 Association
Organization Name: Smart Commute 404-7 Association
Program start date: 2004
Number of employer members: 10
Overview: The municipalities of Richmond Hill and Markham have joined forces with the Region of
York, Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce, Markham Board of Trade, local business leaders, land
owners, and Transport Canada to help address traffic congestion via the newly created Smart Commute
404-7 Association. There are currently 10 member employers of the TMA and it is planned to be
incorporated as a non-profit association in 2005.
Current program elements:
•
Offer active intervention to help employers in Richmond Hill and Markham improve the
quality of life of their employees, customers and visitors through the provision of
transportation options.
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•
The provision of a dedicated website to serve as the single source of information that shows
employers and employees how to use commuting options to save time and money.
o Information on all commuter options
o Offered to all organizations in the Markham/Richmond Hill area
• Provision of a designated representative to represent the interests of the business community
on transportation issues to relevant bodies.
• Smart Commute 404-7 services include:
o Site assessments
o surveys
o Commuter options program development
o ridematching (www.vivacommute.ca)
o transit discount program
o advocacy
o transportation fairs/events
Source www.SmartCommute404-7.ca ; www.markham.ca ; and survey responses
Smart Commute Association of Black Creek
Organization Name: Smart Commute Association of Black Creek (SC-BC)
Program start date: 2001
Number of employer members: 10
Budget, excluding staff: $65,000
Overview: The Smart Commute Association of Black Creek (formerly, Black Creek Regional
Transportation Management Association) has been the sole TMA in Ontario for the past 4 years. It has
been instrumental in the TDM gains and significant transit improvements at York University. SC-BC has
taken a lead advocacy role in increasing the visibility of alternative transportation options in the GTA.
Current program elements:
• Site assessments
• Commuter options program development
• ridematching (www.carpool.ca)
• guaranteed ride home
• advocacy
Source: www.sc-bc.ca and survey responses
Voyagez Futé Montreal
Organization Name: Voyagez Futé Montréal (or Smart Commuting Montreal)
Program start date: 2001
Number of employer members: 10
Budget, excluding staff: $100,000
Overview: Voyagez Futé Montréal (or Smart Commuting Montreal) was the first TMA (or
TMC as it referred to in Montreal) launched in the Montreal area in 2001. In 2002, it became
an independent non-profit organization covering ass of downtown Montreal. It offers the
following services:
Current program elements:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Assessment of the organization’s transportation and commuting needs;
Consulting and support in developing an Allégo Program;
Implementation and management of carpooling programs;
In-company information sessions and promotional tools/activities;
Event organization;
Implementation of Self-Serve Bike programs;
Expert advice about ecological management of parking and equipment for cyclists;
Represent client’s interests with transportation authorities and local groups;
Distribution of the free Info;-)Smart Newsletter13
Source: www.voyagezfute.ca; www.sodec.qc.ca/cgd ; www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/utsp and survey responses
The Centre de gestion des déplacements de l’Est (the east-end transportation management
centre)
Organization Name: Centre de gestion des déplacements de l’Est
Program start date: 2002
Number of employer members: 12 (plus 1 hospital and 1 school)
Budget, excluding staff: Multi year government grants. Project specific grants and private sector
fee/contributions
Overview: The Centre de gestion des déplacements de l’Est (the east-end transportation
management centre) began operation through an initiative of the economic development
corporations (Société de développement économique Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-aux-Trembles –
Montréal-Est―SODEC) of Rivière-des-Prairies, Pointe-aux-Trembles and Montreal East. The
centre’s objectives are to promote job creation, facilitate travel in the Island of Montreal’s east end,
develop transportation solutions tailored to the needs of businesses, develop partnerships,
coordinate actions between employers and transportation corporations and promote various
modes of transportation to reduce dependency on SOV use.14
Current program elements:
• Employer toolkit
• Training for employer transportation coordinators
• Employee survey
• Parking management
• Guaranteed ride home
• Ridematching
• Marketing /newsletters
Source: www.sodec.qc.ca/cgd/;
13
www.voyagezfute.ca
14
www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP
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Allégo Laval
Organization Name: Allégo Laval
Allégo Laval was launched in March 2004 in a partnership between the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(Chambre de commerce et d’industries de Laval―CCIL) and the Laval Transit Corporation. Laval’s 110,000 workers,
employed in more than 9,815, mainly SMBs, have access to a range of alternative modes of transportation that are
competitive with SOV travel, economical and environmentally friendly. Allégo Laval provides a matching service, an
emergency drive-home service for carpoolers and offers a range of economic benefits for those who travel in ways other
than driving alone in a car.1
Source: www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP, www.stl.laval.qc.ca
The Saint-Laurent Commuter Management Centre
Organization Name: The Saint-Laurent Commuter Management Centre
The Saint-Laurent Commuter Management Centre began operation in November 2001. It is
located on the premises of the Economic Development Department of the Borough of SaintLaurent. Its territory includes approximately 1,500 employers, 650 of them manufacturers. During
the 5th International TMA Summit, held in Montreal, the centre received the award for the best
Transportation Management Association in North America. The TMC’s objectives are job
creation, the development of partnerships with businesses and transportation authorities, the
devising of inter-business associations to solve accessibility problems and the development of
carpooling programs and the carpooling system.1
Source: www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP, www. saintlaurent.ville.montreal.qc.ca
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Support Programs, Services or Initiatives
Overview
Support programs and initiatives are often the catalysts that serve to elevate and profile
alternative transportation outreach efforts. Some of these support programs or
initiatives are, in fact, those elements that are the most visible and promoted in the
overall alternative transportation program.
Supporting programs directly address
many of the concerns or issues people have with alternative commuting, such as “I
don’t know anyone to carpool with”, “what if I need a car for something’ or “I don’t
know what cycling routes exist or how to ride in traffic’.
This section will provide an overview of some of the support programs and initiatives
in Canada that directly impact and support alternative transportation choices and
viability.
Supporting programs to include drivers
In a successful alternative transportation program it is important to be as inclusive as
possible of the entire target audience. If an individual chooses not to use a sustainable
commuter option then the goal of the alternative transportation program is to
encourage the most sustainable driving practices possible. By including drivers in the
alternative transportation outreach initiative, it can serve to make them more open to
messaging on other commuter options available to them. Resources available through
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Office of Energy Efficiency
(www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca) include many programs that serve to educate commuters on
sustainable transportation, including:
•
•
•
•
Anti-Idling program
Tire inflation program
Fuel consumption guide
Alternative fuel vehicle guide
Ridematching services
Ridematching is the process whereby drivers seeking passengers or passengers seeking
a driver can look for a carpool partner. A ridematching service differs from the ad hoc
bulletin board posting system by delivering a comprehensive service that facilitates
matches and provides the information needed to comfortably contact a potential
partner. The types of ridematching services offered vary in technological complexity,
some offer instant match list and some will email a list of potential partners. Some are
postal code, map or GIS based. Regardless of the technology used in the system, the
goal remains the same - attempting to match people for the purposes of ridesharing
(carpooling or vanpooling). The research undertaken indicated that the following
types of ridematching services are currently in use in Canada:
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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Organization-developed ridematching system – a service offered internally
solely to the organizations own employees
Externally provided ridematching service on the public internet available to
various organizations
Externally provided ridematching service – either on the public internet or
intranet, but available only to one organization
Postal code based systems
Map based systems
GIS based systems
External ridematching services are either NGO or consultant based. Note that this
project was focused on Canadian organizations and as such global ridematching service
providers were not contacted for information. However it should be noted that in
Canada’s global economy, there are many available ridematching service providers.
This document highlights and captured only some of those systems currently in use in
Canada, most of which are predominantly Canadian-developed.
The research indicated the following:
•
•
Of the organizations that indicated they offer alternative commute
programming or incentives to their employees,
­ half offered some form of ridematching as part of their alternative
transportation program
­ about 60% of those with ridematching developed their own
ridematching program or purchased a system from a supplier for their
own internal use
­ the remaining 40% of organizations use an external ridematching
service
3 Canadian ridematching service providers responded to the survey
­ Commuter Connections (www.carpool.ca) – Postal code based
­ Viva Commute (www.vivacommute.com) – Postal code based
­ CarpoolTool (www.carpooltool.ca) – GIS-based
Viva Commute’
Viva Commute provides Web based commuter rideshare services to all geographic regions of Canada.
Viva Commute provides the Smart Commute 407-7 initiative with a service that attracts people to
carpooling.
Number of people in database: 4000
Number of employers: 100
www.vivacommute.ca
www.SmartCommute407-7.ca
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Carpool.ca,
In January 2000, Commuter Connections received funding from the Climate Change Action Fund to
establish the first Internet carpooling site in Canada, carpool.ca. Carpool.ca was originally introduced at
14 post-secondary institutions and is the focus of the alternative transportation outreach initiative in the
city of Calgary.
Number of people in database: 7300
Number of employers: 60
www.carpool.ca
www.calgary.ca
CarpoolTool.com
Developed by the WPIRG (Waterloo Public Interest Research Group), at the University of Waterloo,
carpoolTool offers free web-based ridematching for the public in Canada. CarpoolTool provides
communities like the City of Peterborough with easy access to carpool matching
Number of people in database: 4000
Number of employers: 4
www.carpooltool.com
www.peterboroughmoves.com
Vanpool providers
There is one formal vanpool service provider in Canada – Jack Bell Rideshare
(www.ride-share.com). There are some organizations that have piloted a vanpool trial
with one vehicle, including the Town of Markham. The van was funded and piloted
through the Town itself.
Jack Bell RideShare dominates the Canadian vanpool scene. “The Jack Bell
Foundation (JBF) vanpool, carpool, rideshare program started in 1992. Local
Philanthropist, Jack Bell saw traffic congestion and pollution as one of the biggest
problems in the lower mainland, so he modeled JBF after the successful Seattle Metro
vanpool- rideshare program. As of May 30, 2001 there were 142 vehicles in the fleet
owned and operated by JBF, with many registered commuters choosing to carpool,
vanpool or rideshare.”15
Carsharing
Carsharing is growing rapidly in both interest and support. A Canadian carsharing
network is in place and steps are being made to formalize a carsharing association. The
simple premise of carsharing is that you have a vehicle available to drive when you
need it. It’s a service that is growing across Canada as an alternative to either car
ownership or owning a second vehicle. Carsharing supports an alternative
transportation program by offering an option for personal car use while supporting the
users’ choice of also traveling by other modes. Carsharing is available in 19 large urban
15
www.ride-share.com
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cities across Canada; in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, with
approximately 10,000 Canadians who are currently using this alternative transportation
support service.16
Active transportation support
There is significant support for cycling and active transportation in Canada, both from
the health, environmental and transportation sectors. Active transportation support
groups are focused on the benefits of active transportation to an individual’s health, the
environment and transportation sustainability.
Telework support
The introduction of a formal telework program often requires a great deal of support
with respect to required technology, organizational policy modifications or evaluations.
However, one of the more ‘advanced’ or innovative approaches that is taking hold in
Canada is to ‘track’ the number of employees in an organization who telework and the
resultant greenhouse gases reduction and clean air benefits. The tracking of avoided
trips, or trips made by a mode other than a single occupant vehicle opens the door for
future emission credit trading. There are two prevailing organizations in Canada
currently active in this area, Teletrips (www.teletrips.com) and TeleTrac
(http://telework.vcr-mvr.ca).
Advocacy groups
Advocacy groups are those groups that work towards a defined goal within a specific
mandate such as improved cycling facilities, pedestrian facilities, environmental
advocacy, etc. Each serves an important role in both supporting alternative
transportation and lobbying for improvements.
In some cases, alternative
transportation service or programming providers originated as advocacy groups.
Events or Activities
Overview
Alternative transportation events and activities focus attention on the impacts of
driving alone and serve to reinforce the multiple benefits of commuter options. There
are a number of events and activities currently in Canada that support alternative
transportation programs.
This section highlights and profiles those key initiatives in Canada.
Commuter Challenge
The National Commuter Challenge is a week-long national event that occurs during
Environment Week. The Commuter Challenge is a friendly competition between
16
www.carsharing.ca
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Canadian communities to encourage as many people as possible to use sustainable and
active modes of transportation. Organizations and individuals record the days and
distances taken through walking, bicycling, taking transit, carpooling or teleworking.
The Commuter Challenge is the only national event that focuses solely on the
commute trip to work and therefore reinforces and supports alternative transportation
programs. This year, 2005, marks the first time that schools will be separated from the
employer Commuter Challenge. For many organizations, the Commuter Challenge is
the only promotional activity they do during the year in support of alternative
transportation, while for others the Commuter Challenge provides an indicator of
alternative transportation program success through the monitoring and evaluation of
participation rates. The Commuter Challenge also offers the forum for an organization
to demonstrate corporate leadership and environmental responsibility.
The Commuter Challenge provides a much needed and valuable catalyst through
which to promote alternative commuting and its benefits. It offers the opportunity of
involving and partnering with the business community, media, local community,
political leaders and local government in a collaborative mutually beneficial outreach
effort. The national aspect of the commuter Challenge makes alternative
transportation issues ubiquitous across the country encouraging networking and
program development. The challenge part of the Commuter Challenge encourages
organizations to strive to improve participation and raise awareness on issues
associated with commuting.
Approximately three-quarters of organizations that offer alternative transportation
programming or incentives actively participate in the Commuter Challenge.
Communities and organizations promote the Commuter Challenge in many different
ways.
Excerpts taken from detailed Commuter Challenge listed on the
www.commuterchallenge.com website case studies provide an overview of some of
the many Commuter Challenge events in Canada17
Burlington Commuter Challenge
In 2000, the City of Burlington's Council approved an environmental mission statement, committing the City
to being "a leader in making a high level of environmental performance one of the primary goals for its
policies, programs, and operations… " . 2003 was Burlington's first participating in the Commuter Challenge.
During the same week as the 2003 Commuter Challenge, Burlington launched its idling awareness campaign.
For 2004, Burlington Bike coincided with the Commuter Challenge.
Calgary Commuter Challenge
The Calgary Commuter Challenge began in 1991 as an interdepartmental competition at Alberta Energy
Utility Board to promote alternative transportation options. In fact, Calgary is where the National Commuter
Challenge began. In 2004 Sustainable Alberta hosted the 14th annual Calgary Commuter Challenge. The event
kicked off with a partnership promotion with the Alberta Lung Association during Alberta's Clean Air Week.
For the Commuter Challenge event, fourteen sponsor organizations provided over $100,000 of in-kind
products and services, including over 5,000 single-day transit passes from Calgary Transit, and over $6,000 in
merchandise and services from Calgary bicycle shops for daily prize draws. PSAs and produced commercial
spots at no charge that ran for over two weeks.
17
www.commuterchallenge.ca Case Studies
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The competition involved 34 Calgary corporations, ranging in size from under 50 employees to over 2000.
The average participation rate over all 34 corporations (18,400+ employees) was 32%. These results clearly
demonstrate that for many Calgary corporations, ecologically sustainable commuting is already a reality, and
for the city as a whole it is a work in progress.
Gatineau Commuter Challenge
The CREDDO, Regional Council on the Environment and Sustainable Development of the Outaouais deals
with transportation issues on a regional and local level and has been organizing the ‘Commuter Challenge for
5 years.
Halifax Commuter Challenge
TRAX has been promoting the Commuter Challenge since 2000; in fact Halifax was the first community in
the Maritimes to promote the event. The Commuter Challenge takes place during Bike Week in Halifax,
allowing for cross-promotion of both events
Hamilton Commuter Challenge
Hamilton has recently celebrated five years of Commuter Challenge success. Over the last 5 years,
approximately 8000 individuals have made an active commitment to improving Hamilton’s local air quality by
using active or sustainable modes of transportation to reach their destinations. The 2004 Hamilton Commuter
Challenge had participation from 38 local organizations and 1820 individuals. The campaign was kicked off
with an annual Corporate Media Breakfast
Kamloops Commuter Challenge
The City of Kamloops has promoted the Challenge since at least 1997. Over the years, the City has organized
many different kinds of events to promote Clean Air Day and the Commuter Challenge. The City also
promotes the Commuter Challenge "year round" through a monthly newsletter, the Pollution Solution.
London Commuter Challenge
Over the years, the City of London and the Thames Region Ecological Association have shared responsibility
for promoting the Commuter Challenge. The Commuter Challenge has been promoted to Londoners for 10
years. Yearly participation in the Bicycle Festival and the Commuter Challenge has ranged between 800 and
1500 individuals.
Northwest Territories Commuter Challenge
The Arctic Energy Alliance took charge of the Climate Change Centre, created in 2001 and at that point
decided to include transportation issues in its mandate. The "Don't Drive to Work" week was developed in
2001 using social marketing tools to get locals in Yellowknife involved; this event was in many ways similar to
the Commuter Challenge. In 2003, politicians and local champions requested that the event be broadened to
include other communities outside of Yellowknife. The NWT Challenge was born, and in its first year, a total
of six communities participated with 42 workplaces and 241 people registered. Promoting the Commuter
Challenge in the North presents some unique challenges. Given the fact that the communities are so small,
issues such as commuter stress and air pollution do not resonate with the local population. As a result, the
focus in the messages was the importance of healthy living. The approach to promote the event also differs as
many people have less experience with web-based tools or do not have access to the internet. As a result,
organizers phoned people, faxed sign-up sheets, and entered people's results on the website on their behalf. In
addition, posters were created specifically for the Northwest Territories.
Ottawa Commuter Challenge
EnviroCentre is a local non-profit group based at City Hall in the nation's capital. The 2004 Commuter
Challenge reached new heights this year with a record number of participants. This year’s event involved over
17,000 commuters in the National Capital Region demonstrating significant growth from the previous years.
There were 432 different workplaces involved in the event with some companies achieving a one hundred
percent participation rate. Every year, the Commuter Challenge is launched with the ever-popular Green
Commuter Relay, Last year, Minister of the Environment David Anderson attended to start the race!
Regina Commuter Challenge
The City of Regina has a commitment to reduce greenhouse gases. Goals have been set corporately and for
the community. The Cool Down the City Program, which coordinates the Commuter Challenge in Regina,
was established to help further greenhouse gas reduction goals in the community. The City of Regina has
coordinated the Commuter Challenge locally since 1999. In the year 2003, a total of 26 workplaces
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participated in the Commuter Challenge with over 1000 participants! Typically, a Kick-Off event is held in
Downtown Regina.
Vancouver Commuter Challenge
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) has been conducting its Commuter Challenge annually
as part of its "workplace" programs for nine consecutive years. Each year, over 100 companies compete on
the first Wednesday in June for the Commuter Challenge awards and honours. In 2003, there were 69
registered organizations and 9,219 individuals participating.
Victoria Case Study
City Green is a non-profit community initiative that empowers people and organizations to enhance their
health, save money and reduce their environmental impact. City Green runs a program called STEP, the
Sustainable Transportation Empowerment Program which involves training businesses to engage in trip
reduction programs, and supporting and organizing sustainable transportation events such as Walk Week,
Clean Air Day and Commuter Challenge.
Waterloo Region Commuter Challenge
The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) manages the Commuter Challenge. The Region of
Waterloo (Transportation Planning & Grand River Transit) has supported the event since 2000 both
financially and with in-kind resources including promotion, graphic design, draw prizes and assistance with
overall coordination. Over 100 workplaces and schools participated in 2003 with over 4,100 area residents
participating - an increase of over 1,400 from 2002.
Winnipeg Commuter Challenge
The Winnipeg Commuter Challenge is coordinated by the Green Commuting Initiatives (GCI) of Resource
Conservation Manitoba. GCI promotes sustainable transportation practices with Manitoba workplaces and
schools by fostering active and green modes of commuting (public transit, ridesharing, cycling and walking).
The Commuter Challenge has been active in Winnipeg since 1999.
Whitehorse Commuter Challenge
The Commuter Challenge has been running in Whitehorse since 2002 when the City of Whitehorse
introduced the event and took the lead in coordination.
Clean Air Day and Canadian Environment Week
Clean Air Day (CAD) was proclaimed by the Government of Canada to increase
public awareness and action on two key environmental priorities, clean air and climate
change. It is part of Canadian Environment Week, which was created to promote and
to celebrate activities that care and nurture our environmental legacy.18
Environment Week is held during the first full week of June. Clean Air Day is held on
the Wednesday of Environment Week.
Clean Air Day, Environment Week and the Commuter Challenge all occur during the
same time period and this serves to consolidate alternative transportation outreach
efforts.
International Walk to School Week
Over 2,000 schools across Canada - and over three million walkers in 36 countries participated in International Walk to School Week in 2004. Formerly a one-day event, the
18
www.ec.gc.ca
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initiative now promotes a whole week of walking to school. The program has grown
substantially since its beginnings in 1994, when a handful of schools participated in a
pilot in England. International Walk to School Week occurs during the first full week
of October, with Walk to School Day the Wednesday of that week.19
Walk to School Day
International Walk to School Day occurs on the Wednesday of International Walk to
School Week that is held during the first full week of October. The promotion of
walking to school programs serves to reinforce alternative transportation messages to
parents and the community, as well as helping to establish a life-long appreciation of
being physically active. The goals of increasing the number of students walking to
school are many and include:20
•
•
•
•
•
•
Encourage physical fitness
Raise awareness of the how walkable a community is and where improvements
can be made
Raise concern for the environment
Reduce crime and take back neighborhoods for people on foot
Reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and speed near schools
Share valuable time with local community leaders, parents, and children
Bike to Work Week/Month
Bike to Work Week, or Month, is a campaign that focuses on encouraging people to
commute to work by bicycle. In some locations Bike to Work Week has evolved into
the Commuter Challenge. Frequently, Bike to Work week is held simultaneously with
the Commuter Challenge.
Clean Air Commute
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA)-based Clean Air Commute is an initiative of
Pollution Probe. Occurring the 3rd week of June, outside of the National Commuter
Challenge week, it offers the opportunity for GTA organizations to become involved
in a GTA wide challenge.
Car Free Day
Each year on Sept 22, International Car Free Day is celebrated by over 100 million
people in about 1,500 cities around the world. The Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.ca) has
been involved in Car Free Day in Canada since 2000. In 2004 Sierra Club of Canada
events were held in Ottawa, Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo while other groups
19
www.goforgreen.com
20
www.iwalktoschool.org
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celebrated in Halifax, Hamilton, Kingston, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria and
elsewhere.21
Commuter surveys
Commuter surveys are a vital tool for establishing a baseline of existing alternative
transportation travel habits and as a mechanism evaluation and measurement of
change and success. Typical commuter surveys should be done at the outset or prior
to the launch of an alternative transportation program and then at regular intervals to
monitor and track program success, behavior change and attitudes.
Survey respondents indicated:
• 41% have done counts or survey.
­ 58% of institutional
­ 44% of Federal Government
­ 40% local NGOs
­ 36% of municipal/regional government
­ 33% provincial/national NGOs
­ 30% of private sector employers
• 21% have undertaken measures to evaluate the results of TDM initiatives, the
most common of which are surveys and participation numbers.
• 20% have attributed a measurable environmental benefit to their organizations
program. The most commonly reported benefit was GHG reductions through
participation in the Commuter Challenge
“Commuter Options: The Complete Guide for Canadian Employers”
In 2003, Transport Canada recognized the need for a comprehensive national generic guide on commuter
options for Canadian employers. Included within this guide is a detailed, generic, sample survey that can
be used and modified for use by a specific employer or outreach agency. This survey itself was developed
through extensive international research on commuter surveys and the Guide provides information on
how to organize, deliver and summarize a commuter survey. It also offers advice on how often to survey
and how to measure and evaluate a program’s success.
The Commuter Options Guide and survey is available at: www.tc.gc.ca/commuter
Federal House in Order
The Leadership Challenge is the Federal House in Order (FHIO) vehicle for encouraging all federal
departments, agencies and Crown corporations to undertake a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction program
of their own design and voluntarily report on results. As part of the Federal Government’s house in
Order initiative, comprehensive commuter surveys were done at four different Federal Departments in
21
www.carfreeday.ca
Chapter 3
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Chapter 3
the National Capital Region in 2003. At Environment Canada the results of the commuter options
survey was used to guide the development of a comprehensive alternative transportation strategy.
The survey used is available at: www.fhio.gc.ca
Nortel Networks Surveys
Nortel Networks conducts counts annually to document commuting modal split and commuter surveys
are done to document attitudes, GreenCommute program penetration and benefits. An awareness
survey provided feedback from employees, as follows:
• 90% of respondents thought the program provided a meaningful benefit
• 79% felt it made it easier to get to work without a car
• 70% thought the program helped increase their awareness on how their mode of transportation
could effect the environment, health and the community
Awards
Awards serve to recognize corporate leaders, to elevate the visibility of programs,
events or initiatives. Awards validate participation in alternative transportation
programs. There are many types of recognition awards currently in Canada, such as:
• Professional affiliation awards (i.e. sustainable site design, etc.)
• Event awards (i.e. Commuter Challenge, Bike to Work week, etc)
• Special designation awards (i.e. Ottawa’s Best Workplaces for Commuters,
FCM CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Award)
• Participation awards (i.e. Clean Air Commute)
Transportation fairs
Transportation fairs are a common mechanism through which employees of an
organization are provided with information and support on various commuter options.
Transportation fairs are an effective method of reaching a large number of people in an
‘open house’ type of format. The composition of presenters or exhibitors at
transportation fair can vary considerably by location and/or need. Common
participants and/or information provided at transportation fairs may include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
transit operator(s) – trip planning advice, route maps and schedules
alternative transportation outreach agency (NGO, Local/Municipal
Government) – informational brochures
Health information – benefits of walking, cycling
Active transportation information – bike safety, bike routes, cycling course
information, local cycling group
Bicycle users group
Alternative transportation program information – benefits, organizational
policies, meet the TDM coordinator from the organization
Carpool information - ridematching, parking information,
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•
•
Chapter 3
Government information – climate change, tire inflation, One Tonne
Challenge, anti-idling
Special elements to attract people (food, prizes, games, give-a-ways, special
presenters, etc)
Chapter 3
Programs, Initiatives and Support
Page 3-74
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4
Chapter
OBSERVATIONS &
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following high level observations and recommendations are made based on the
research undertaken on alternative transportation programs in Canada. Bullets
highlight the salient observations resulting from the research and a recommended
action follows each set of comments.
•
Alternative transportation programs and incentives are primarily offered by
organizations that embrace a vision and understanding of the benefits of
promoting sustainable transportation and wish to demonstrate corporate and
community leadership through the promotion of these benefits. In general, there
are three primary circumstances for offering an alternative transportation program.
They are as follows:
­
Large urban centres experiencing transportation-related problems such as
congestion, air pollution or infrastructure capacity constraints. An alternative
transportation program can service to mitigate or minimize these issues.
­
Growing urban areas that are starting to recognize that such issues will develop
if they are not proactively addressed. An alternative transportation program
helps to avoid these issues coming to fruition, and
­
The relatively stable or smaller community that simply understands the benefits
of alternative transportation and is encouraging and promoting commuter
options, often with an active commuting focus, to improve the quality of life
for its citizens.
•
There is a significant regional disparity in alternative transportation programs
offered in Canada. Most notably Eastern Canada (outside of Halifax) and
Northern Canada have few visible or known alternative transportation
programming efforts in place.
•
The local culture of government, business and community will impact upon the
nature of the alternative transportation program being offered.
Chapter 4
Observations/Recommendations
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•
Chapter 4
The economic, social, environmental and quality of life benefits of alternative
transportation programs can be realized no matter what the community size.
Recommendation
Ö Recognize that alternative transportation programs and incentives are
applicable to all Canadian communities
•
An alternative transportation program will vary according to location and audience.
In general, the ideal program will provide information, resources and tools on each
commuter option, often under an alternative transportation program. The
provision of a full menu or suite of options provides the commuter with a range of
choices through which to make an informed decision. Focusing on one or more
elements will be determined by the corporate culture or specific need of each
audience.
­
Convenient accessible transit service is vital for it to be a true commuter choice
option.
­
A very successful program in terms of behavior change is the introduction of
the U-Pass program at institutions to increase transit ridership. This dynamic
method of encouraging transit use is generally highly successful due to the
deep discounts and large numbers of people with access to the program.
­
Telework offers the opportunity of eliminating the commute. The
encouragement of this workplace option should be investigated in terms of its
benefits to the employer and employee.
­
Ridematching is a key marketing tool employed by many organizations and
helps to raise awareness and acceptance of carpooling or vanpooling
­
Active transportation promotion serves to improve the health of Canadians
and improves the quality of life for all citizens through the building of
improved pedestrian and cycling routes and corridors.
Recommendation
Ö Provide resources, allowing each community to deliver an alternative
transportation program to meet their specific needs
Ö Improve transit services to employer locations in major urban areas
through the availability of payroll deducted transit passes, offering tax
exempt transit passes , offering discounted transit passes in lieu of
employer provided parking, and improved service in congested areas.
Chapter 4
Observations/Recommendations
Page 4-2
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Chapter 4
•
The most successful alternative transportation service providers are those with the
greatest financial resource levels. Without financial resources program delivery
agents (municipal, local, transit authority or NGO) struggle to keep their programs
operational. Their communication strategies would reach a greater level of success
if a higher level government also raised the visibility of commuter options.
Programs that are funded by government at either the initial stages of development
or throughout the programs have experienced greater success and have brought
about the intended behavioral change necessary in the long term. Funding needs
to be sustainable for an alternative transportation program to thrive. Similar to
transit systems, ongoing, sustained funding is necessary for program delivery,
expansion and community acceptance.
•
The most substantial experience and results to date have been found in cases
where the province played a leadership and/or supportive role in program funding,
development and/or implementation. The success of these programs is due to the
demonstrated high level vision and leadership. It is important to note that both BC
and Quebec have flexible programs delivered by those agencies most appropriate
within each community. High level government leadership and support still enables
flexibility in program delivery by the agency (ies) which best suits each community.
•
Successful alternative transportation programs have strong established
partnerships. These partnerships serve to increase the programs profile and aid in
the ability to secure financial resources.
•
‘One-off’ funding sources serve to launch pilot projects and evolve understanding
of alternative transportation, but these sources cannot be relied upon for the
ongoing sustainability of alternative transportation programs or incentives. If oneoff funding is available to initiate an activity it needs ongoing follow up and
support to evolve or be maintained. The risk of discontinuing the initiative is that
it impacts the credibility of alternative transportation programs.
Recommendation
Ö Increase available sustainable funding opportunities for alternative
transportation programming in the delivery of commuter options,
allowing each community to determine the delivery agent. Ongoing,
sustained resources are necessary for alternative transportation
programs to grow and evolve in Canada.
Ö Further investigate the provincial model of alternative transportation
programming
Ö Build partnerships to maximize resource opportunities. Partnerships
are an indicator of success and need to be explored further.
Chapter 4
Observations/Recommendations
Page 4-3
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Chapter 4
•
The penetration rate of alternative transportation programs at the employer level is
in its infancy with only a small number of employers active in promoting
comprehensive alternative transportation/commuter options in their workplace or
organization. There are a large number of employers, institutions and governments
that have adopted some elements of an alternative transportation program. They
are the minority when considering the number of businesses in Canada, and should
be commended for their proactive initiatives.
•
There are often elements of an alternative transportation program in place at an
organization for purposes other than addressing transportation concerns. Some,
for example, are there for other reasons such as offering an HR benefit (i.e.,
flextime) or reflecting the current state of technology available (i.e., teleconference
or videoconference).
•
While comprehensive programs are the most successful, it is important to promote
stand-alone initiatives as they are opportunities to engage interest which may lead
to a comprehensive program. By reporting initiatives as well as programs,
employers will be given information on starting single initiatives that could evolve
into more comprehensive programs. Even if the organization is engaged in only
one initiative, this allows the alternative transportation delivery agents to learn of
the organization. The delivery agent may have an entry point with which to
promote other elements in the multimodal system approach. For example, the
participation of employers in the Commuter Challenge allows them to become
educated and serves as a catalyst to interest them in the ongoing promotion of
commuter options through an alternative transportation program. It can be the
first point of contact into an organization from a service provider or employer.
Ridematching is also an example, of a readily available tool that enables a point of
contact or entry into an employer.
Recommendation
Ö Build on successes and recognize efforts. If an organization is offering
even one element of an alternative transportation program, use that
element as the way ‘in the door’. Once an organization ‘buys’ in to even
one program element or incentive they may be more receptive to
developing more inclusive alternative transportation programs.
Chapter 4
Observations/Recommendations
Page 4-4
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Chapter 4
•
The promotion of commuter options is often embedded in other programs or
outreach initiatives that serve to reinforce, balance and substantiate alternative
transportation promotion. The Canada Moves program promotes active heart
healthy living and encourages active transportation, a component of which is active
transportation to work. The livability of a healthy city, through smart growth
strategies also has ‘embedded’ commuter options messaging. One such example is
the community design principles that encourage walking to the neighbourhood
store and locating such businesses within the residential community.
•
The trend for the delivery of alternative transportation programs is beyond
employers and now extends to reach youth and the general community. While the
promotion of commuter options is done for many reasons, and has many different
faces, the end result is to support alternative transportation programs and
initiatives.
Recommendation
.
Ö Leverage all opportunities to engage employers. Build partnerships.
Use complimentary outreach programs to further the alternative
transportation message.
•
Only a few employers in Canada have been required to implement alternative
transportation programs as a result of by-law or site plan agreements. Those that
have been mandated in some fashion have the most proactive and allencompassing programs in Canada
•
Some organizations have imposed ‘self-mandates’ through corporate policy and
leadership initiatives. These groups are setting the stage for a paradigm shift in
corporations’ community responsibilities.
Recommendation
Ö Work with provincial and local government to investigate the increased
use of by laws or site plan agreements to engage employers and land
owners.
Ö Recognize demonstrated corporate community responsibility and
leadership
Chapter 4
Observations/Recommendations
Page 4-5
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Chapter 4
•
Alternative transportation programs aimed at youth are growing in popularity and
are strongly supported, and well-received, primarily from a health and active
transportation standpoint.
•
Youth also ‘brings the message back to parents’ through homework, messaging
and demonstrating new behaviour.
Recommendation
Ö Youth are a key to the future. Maximize youth outreach efforts to
increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of the benefits of
sustainable transportation
Chapter 4
Observations/Recommendations
Page 4-6
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5
Chapter
Chapter4
4Chapter 5
RESOURCES AND
CONTACTS
Program development
•
•
•
•
•
•
Transport Canada Commuter Options: The Complete Guide for Canadian
Employers www.tc.gc.ca/commuter
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) www.best.bc.ca
Ecology Action Centre (TRAX) www.trax.ns.ca
Resource Conservation Manitoba
Pollution Probe www.pollutionprobe.org
o SmartMovement
Agence métropolitaine de transport (AMT) www.amt.qc.ca
Active transportation
•
•
Go for Green www.goforgreen.com
Canadian Cycling Association www.canadian-cycling.com
Public transit
•
Canadian Urban Transit Association www.cutaactu.ca
o U-Pass toolkit
Ridesharing
•
•
•
•
VivaCommute www.vivacommute.com
Commuter Connections www.carpool.ca
CarpoolTool www.CarpoolTool.ca
Jack Bell RideShare www.ride-share.com
Chapter 5
Resources and Contacts
Page 5-1
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Chapter 5
Carsharing
•
•
•
•
•
National:
o Carsharing Canada www.carsharing.ca
Ontario:
o Toronto –AutoShare www.autoshare.com
o Kitchener/Waterloo -People's Car Co-op www.peoplescar.org
o Ottawa – Virtucar
Quebec:
o CommunAuto www.communauto.com
British Columbia
o Co-operative Auto Network www.cooperativeauto.net
o Victoria Car-share Co-op www.victoriacarshare.ca/
Alberta:
o Calgary – Calgary Alternative Transportation Co-op
www.catco-op.org
o Edmonton – Carsharing Co-operative of Edmonton
www.web.net/~cce
Teleworking
•
Canadian Telework Association www.ivc.ca
Associations
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Canadian Urban Transit Association www.cutaactu.ca
Federation of Canadian Municipalities www.fcm.ca
Transportation Association of Canada www.tac-atc.ca
Association for Commuter Transportation of Canada (ACT Canada)
www.ACTCanada.com
Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers www.cite7.org
Canadian Institute of Planners www.cip-icu.ca
Canadian Parking Association www.canadianparking.ca
Pembina Institute's Climate Change Solutions www.pembina.org
Centre for Sustainable Transportation www.cstctd.org
Canadian GHG Registries, Canadian Standards Association
www.ghgmeasures.com
International Institute for Sustainable Development www.iisd.org
Chapter 5
Resources and Contacts
Page 5-2
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Chapter 5
Transportation management associations
Ontario
• Smart Commute Association of Black Creek www.sc-bc.ca
• Smart Commute 404-7 www.smartcommute404-7.ca
Quebec
• Voyagez Futé Montréal www.voyagezfute.ca
• Commuter Management Centre Saint-Laurent
http://saintlaurent.ville.montreal.qc.ca
• The Centre de gestion des déplacements de l’Est www.sodec.qc.ca/cgd/
• Allégo Laval www.stl.laval.qc.ca/Allego
British Columbia
• Cambie Corridor Consortium
Other resources
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Victoria Transport Policy Institute www.vtpi.org
The Victoria Transport Policy Institute (VTPI) is an independent research
organization dedicated to developing innovative and practical solutions to
transportation problems. The VTPI website offers a wealth of information on
transportation demand management, case studies, alternative transportation
programming and the internationally recognized Online TDM Encyclopedia.
Tools of Change www.toolsofchange.com
Tools of Change is an online planning guide helping individuals and
organizations take action to improve health or the environment. It offers
social-based marketing principle guidance and offers many alternative
transportation case studies for review.
Transport Canada Information Network
www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/utsp/informationnetwork
The Information Network is a forum for transportation practitioners and
other observers to share information and lessons learned from Transport
Canada’s Urban Transportation Showcase demonstrations, as well as on other
strategies to reduce GHG emissions from urban transportation.
Commuter Challenge www.commuterchallenge.ca
Car Free Day www.carfreeday.ca and www.sierraclub.ca
Moving the Economy www.movingtheeconomy.ca
Équiterre www.equiterre.qc.ca
TMA Survey (2004) ACT USA www.actweb.org
Chapter 5
Resources and Contacts
Page 5-3
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Chapter 5
Federal resources
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Clean Air Day www.cleanairday.com
Clean Air www.ec.gc.ca/air
Climate Change www.climatechange.gc.ca
Energy Efficiency www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca
Personal Vehicle Program www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/vehicles/
Federal House in Order program www.fhio.gc.ca
Health Issues www.healthcanada.ca/air
Canadian Environment Week www.ec.gc.ca/e-week
EcoAction www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction
Vehicle Emission Inspection Clinics www.ec.gc.ca/transport/clinics.htm
One Tonne Challenge www.climatechange.gc.ca/onetonne
Information Network
www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/UTSP/informationnetwork
Organization List
The participation of the following organizations in the survey is gratefully
acknowledged. Through their interest in participating in this national initiative, each of
these organizations listed is active in some manner in alternative transportation. While
it was not possible to profile each organization individually, their efforts to establish
and promote alternative transportation programs and initiatives are examples of
Canadian leadership.
ACT Office (Alternative Commuting &
Transportation), McMaster University
Alberta Bicycle Association
Algonquin College
Association of Yukon Communities
Autoshare
BC Hydro
BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
BC Transit
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation
BMO Bank of Montreal
Brampton Transit
Brantford Transit
British Columbia Transmission Corporation
Broadcom Canada Ltd
Calgary Alternative Transportation Cooperative
Calgary Health Region
Calgary International Airport
Cambie Corridor Consortium
CAN Co-operative Auto Network
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - National
Office
Canada Post Corporation
Canada Revenue Agency
Canadian GHG Registries, Canadian Standards
Association
Canadian Urban Transit Association
Car Share London
Carleton university
CarpoolTool.com
Chapter 5
Carsharing Cooperative of Edmonton
Centre de gestion des déplacements de l'Est
Centre de gestion des déplacements de Saint-Laurent
CH2M HILL
ChevronTexaco
Citizens' Advisory Committee on Air Quality (Waterloo
Region)
Citizens for Safe Cycling
City of Abbotsford
City of Brandon
City of Calgary
City of Edmonton
City of Kelowna
City of London
City of Mississauga
City of Moncton
City of North Bay Transit
City of Ottawa
City of Peterborough
City of Red Deer
City of Regina
City of Richmond
City of Toronto
City of Vaughan
Clean Air Strategic Alliance
Clean Calgary Association
Club Cycliste Vélo Cape Breton
Community Service Centre
Commuter Connections
Commuting Solutions
Resources and Contacts
Page 5-4
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Chapter 5
ConocoPhillips Canada
Co-operative Auto Network
CREDDO
Cullbridge Marketing and Communications
CyclingSolutions.ca
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Discovery Economic Consulting
Dundee Realty
Ecology Action Centre
Enbridge Gas Distribution
Enbridge Pipelines
EnCana Corporation
Engstrom
ENMAX Corporation
EnviroCentre
Environment Canada
EPCOR Utilities Inc.
EUB
Exhibition Place
Export Development Canada
Gimli Recreation Authority
Go for Green
GO Transit
Grand River Hospital
Green Communities
Halifax Regional Municipality
Hamilton Street Railway
Health Canada
IBM Canada
Indian and Northern Affairs
Industry Canada
International Institute for Sustainable Development
JLT Canada Inc.
Komex International Ltd.
Ministère des Transports du Québec
Ministry of Transportation of BC
Ministry of Transportation, Greater Victoria Cycling
Coalition
Mount Royal College
Mountain Equipment Co-op, Vancouver store
N.S. Dept. of Energy
National Capital Commission
Natural Resources Canada
Nature's Path Foods
Nelvana
Nortel Networks
Northwest Hydraulic Consultants
NOVA Chemicals
Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour
(metro)
Noxon Associates Limited
NS Department of Transportation & Public Works
Office of Energy Efficiency
One-Tonne Toronto
Ontario Cycling Association
PACT (Promoting Active Community Transport)
Campaign
Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited
People's Car
Pollution Probe
Public Health Agency of Canada/Health Canada
Chapter 5
Public Works & Government Services Canada
Radical Entertainment
Recreation & Parks Assoc. of the Yukon
Redden
Region of Peel
Region of Peel - TransHelp
Region of Waterloo
Regional Municipality of Durham
Regional Municipality of Halton
Resort Municipality of Whistler
Resource Conservation Manitoba
Richard Drdul Community Transportation Planning
SAIT
Sarnia Transit
Saskatoon Transit Services
Schmidt
Shell Canada Limited
Smart Commute Association of Black Creek
Smart Commute Markham Richmond Hill
St. Mary's General Hospital
Suncor Energy
SunLife Financial
SurveyPeople Corporation
Telecommuting Consultants International, Inc
Teletrips
The Centre for Sustainable Transportation
The Regional Municipality of York
Thunder Bay Transit
Tools of Change Educational Institute
Town of Banff
Town of Markham - Engineering
Town of Richmond Hill
TPSGC / SIT
TransAlta Corporation
Transit Services, Public Works and Services, City of
Ottawa
Transit Windsor
TransLink
Transport Canada
Transportation Planning and Engineering Consulting
TRAX, Ecology Action Centre
UBC TREK Program Centre
University Health Network
University of Calgary
University of Ottawa
University of Victoria
University of Waterloo
URS Canada Inc.
Vancity Credit Union
Vancouver Community College
Velo NB
Vélo Québec
Victoria Car Share Cooperative
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
Viva Commute Inc
Voyagez Futé Montréal
Western Bus Lines (Port Alberni) Ltd
Wilfrid Laurier University
Winnipeg Transit
York Region Transit
York University
Resources and Contacts
Page 5-5
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