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Success stories

Delta Airlines

Thoughtful approach to unique challenges

Delta Airlines had a 96% response rate to their survey—the highest response of any employer in the south King County region.

Located in Sea-Tac Airport, the Delta site offers unique challenges in terms of surveying and commute trip reduction. Delta’s ETC, Pamela Helm, is mindful of the working environment and offered a variety of methods—plus an incentive—to achieve a high rate of survey response. Pam set up a satellite office in the baggage handling area of the terminal to remove the obstacle of uniform requirements to complete their survey or pick up their company-provided ORCA cards.

Delta set a non-drive alone trip (NDAT) rate goal of 34.9% and exceeded it by 90%. Pam credits the effort to employee education and a combination of incentives that include a subsidized ORCA card as well as a pay-to-not-park credit.

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Highline College

Flexible work options paired with incentives

Situated on the busy thoroughfare of Pacific Highway South, Highline is creatively encouraging good transportation habits while advocating for safety and eagerly anticipating the expansion of the light rail system.

Highline met goals for both NDAT and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) per employee—and had an 83% response rate to their survey. Highline’s ETC, Francesca Fender, incentivized participation by offering gift cards to a local restaurant. She also made a focused outreach to her tech support team, who take advantage of Highline’s Work Smart program. That program includes teleworking plus an option to work a compressed work week.

Francesca also includes Highline students in her CTR efforts by providing a $60 gift certificate at the campus bookstore to every student with proof of at least $60 in ORCA card usage in any month.

Green River College

Forward-thinking solutions that benefit staff and students

Green River College (GRC) is experiencing—and managing—phenomenal growth. GRC provides a free quarterly staff parking permit for any staff who carpools at least 3 times per week.

Mobility and safety are vital to student success at GRC, and ETC Judy Brenden—a 15-year veteran—is a master of CTR. Judy coordinates a fleet of shuttles that run from Pacific Raceway to the campus, which are heavily utilized by students and faculty.

Students can also use the shuttles on weeknights until 2 am and on the weekends to major shopping destinations, local eateries and student housing—free of charge. Judy is a firm believer that not having a car should not be a barrier to access services. Students can also rent the shuttles for school extracurricular activities.

Service improvements are coming to Auburn and GRC through the Renton-Kent-Auburn Area Mobility Project and Judy is looking forward to helping staff and students take advantage of the increased service options.

International Paper

Building community for your commuters

International Paper has had one of the longest-running Vanpools for any business: 28 years. Their secret? Be flexible with your fellow commuters, keep to a reliable schedule, stay in communication with each other early and often, and have fun!

The vanpool members try to get together once a month for some off-the-clock bonding time. It also helps that the vanpoolers are scientists who are keenly aware of the damaging effects of air pollution and greenhouse gases. In fact, being environmental stewards is written into International Paper’s mission and vision.

True to that mission, International Paper met their goals for both NDAT and VMT—and had an 87% response rate to their survey. They’re not simply good environmental stewards, they’re also good neighbors, reaching out to other businesses in their proximity to generate interest and ridership.

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