Promoting New Ways for Employees to Commute to Work
Smart Commute is a non-profit Transportation Management Association (TMA) committed to reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality and advocating for sustainable transportation. It encourages individuals to consider alternatives to single occupancy vehicle commuting including cycling, transit, carpooling, walking, and tele-commuting.
Together with our partners, members and supporters, Smart Commute works to:
- implement employee trip reduction programs at local workplaces;
- decrease traffic congestion, and improve air quality and health by reducing harmful vehicle emissions;
- improve employee productivity and morale, and reduce employee turnover
- advocate for improved transit service, and increased local transportation infrastructure such as high-occupancy, bus-only and cycling lanes, and a wider network of subway and light rapid transit;
- promote the benefits of transit-supportive development and province-wide smart-growth strategies;
- encourage legislative flexibility in support of high-value, cost effective transportation strategies such as vanpools, telework, transit subsidies and shuttle services
In 2006, Smart Commute collectively reduced more than 1.2 million single-occupant vehicle (SOV) trips which avoided more than 61 million vehicle kilometres traveled (VKT). These reductions prevented the emission of over 14,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 88 tonnes of smog-causing air pollutants.
Smart Commute as a broader network of TMAs across the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton called the Smart Commute Initiative (SCI). The project involves the Smart Commute Association (SCA) as a coordinating body, and seven TMAs that work with employers in geographically specific areas.. Participating municipalities in the Smart Commute Initiative are the Region of York, City of Toronto, Region of Durham, Region of Peel, City of Mississauga, City of Hamilton, and Region of Halton. Other municipalities, such as the City of Vaughan, Town of Markham, Town of Newmarket, City of Brampton, and Town of Caledon, support the local Smart Commute in their areas.
Here are links to three TMA’s in York Region
http://www.smartcommutentv.ca/