Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Commute Trip Reduction News
Downtown: On the Go! – Reinvent Your Commute

The Chamber is excited to partner with the City of Tacoma, Pierce Transit, and Pierce County to be a resource for your downtown business and employees' transportation needs, and to promote transportation efficiency and economic vibrancy downtown. This monthly newsletter keeps you up to date with Commute Trip Reduction activities downtown, ways we can assist you, and how you can get involved.

For information or questions about the Chamber’s Commute Trip Reduction efforts, or to subscribe to this newsletter, please contact Jessica Holden:

253-627-2175 or jessicah@tacomachamber.org

Dicey roads? Leave the car at home!
December’s icy, snowy roads were a good reminder of why it is important to have commute options. Being able to catch a bus or call up a carpool buddy with 4-wheel drive means employees are able to get to work safely. We even heard that the snow encouraged people to walk to destinations to which they normally drive – a great opportunity to explore your own foot power and enjoy the beautiful snow.

If you plan to ride the bus in severe weather, be sure to check www.piercetransit.org for snow route information, and be aware that routes may be running slower than usual.

New Year, New Commute
Do your New Year’s resolutions include a healthier or greener lifestyle? Consider adjusting your commute to include biking, walking, and transit – you can even combine these methods depending on your route, the weather, or your mood. We are ready to help you get started! Visit PierceTrips.com or contact us.

FREE! January Bus Passes
Are you or your employees interested in trying out the bus this month – for free? The Chamber is excited to offer prospective downtown bus riders a January Puget Pass. Please contact Jessica at the Chamber if you are interested.

Upcoming Events
Transportation Specialists Luncheon: January 14, 12-1 pm – If you coordinate a transportation program for your downtown worksite, or are thinking about starting one, we invite you to join us for an opportunity to talk with other downtown businesses about what they are doing. Come share and learn from one another, and enjoy lunch on us. Please RSVP to Jessica by January 9.

Downtown Commuter Social: February 12, 5:30-7 pm – Due to weather, we postponed this event originally scheduled for December. Join us at The Hub Restaurant in February to socialize with other downtown commuters and sample tasty appetizers as our way of saying “thanks!” for your smart commuting! Please let Jessica know if you plan to attend.

Featured Business: CH2M HILL, Inc
Each month, we feature a downtown business and their Employer Transportation Program. Let us know if you have a program you’d like to share.

CH2M HILL is committed to ensuring their employees have great commute options, and they are continuing to build their program. In fact, 100% of the staff at their Tacoma office take advantage of these benefits!

Why an Employer Transportation Program?
“Reducing commute trips is an important goal for CH2M HILL because we are an environmentally conscious employer striving to make a positive impact on our environment and our communities. By encouraging and providing many ways for our employees to use commute options to get to work in particular, as well as shopping and other activities, we benefit the environment and our employees at the same time.”

About CH2M HILL’s Program:

• Secure bicycle storage is available for employees who choose to bike to work.
• Compressed work week and telework options are available to employees.
• Employees who regularly take the bus, train, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk to work are allowed two free days of parking per month.
• We are hoping to offer discounted bus passes to our employees in our new Tacoma office in the coming months. In the meantime, we are able to offer 'loaner' Flex Passes to our Tacoma employees in order to use Sound Transit and Metro services.

What are employees saying?
“CH2M HILL’s transportation program benefits our employees by providing many options for their commute, help lower their commuting costs, and contribute to a reduction in their carbon footprint, which most employees are proud to say they do!”

Advice for other businesses:
“Contact the Chamber or Pierce Transit to get started!”

December Chamber Commute Rewards
Downtown Chamber commuters who log their trips on PierceTrips.com are automatically entered to win great prizes each month.

In December, all it took was SIX smart commutes (biking, walking, ridesharing, or transit) to be eligible for these prizes:

• $100.00 gift card to Maxwell's Speakeasy + Lounge
• 2 $20.00 gift cards to King's Books
• 2 $20.00 gift cards to Buzzards CDs and Video

In January, downtown employees who log at least SIX non-drive alone commute trips will be eligible for more exciting prizes from local businesses.

For more information or help using PierceTrips.com, please contact us or visit PierceTrips.com.

*Special January Drawing!*
Downtown commuters from Chamber businesses who log at least ten bus commutes on PierceTrips.com in January will be entered to win one of ten FREE February Puget Passes!